A+
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
11%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Alachua Florida National
Cost of living9998100
Goods & Services9298100
Groceries9699100
Health care9496100
Housing11196100
Transportation10499100
Utilities8697100
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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Alachua is 1% higher than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in Alachua is 1% lower than the national average
  • Alachua housing is 11% higher than the national average
  • Florida general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Florida state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Alachua

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Compare Alachua, FL Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

          This is how much you would need to earn in
          Price difference in compared to
          Cost of living index
          Goods & Services index
          Groceries index
          Health care index
          Housing index
          Transportation index
          Utilities index

          Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

          Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
          Owners$76,813$6,401$1,792$2,305
          Renters$42,578$3,548$993$1,277
          A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Alachua is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Alachua has a median income of about $76,813 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,792 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $42,578. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $993 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

          Florida Sales Tax

          State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
          Florida 6% 7.5%

          Florida Income Tax

          State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
          Florida 0% 0%

          Goods & Services

          Item Alachua National avg. Difference
          Haircut $22.56$24.267.0%
          Beauty Salon $62.28$45.5636.7%
          Toothpaste $3.65$3.701.5%
          Shampoo $1.41$1.2810.4%
          Movie $13.48$12.1311.1%
          Bowling $16.89$18.006.2%

          Groceries

          Item Alachua National avg. Difference
          Ground Beef $5.76$5.841.4%
          Fried Chicken $1.42$1.579.7%
          Milk $4.55$4.672.6%
          Potatoes $5.29$4.937.2%
          Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
          Beer $11.00$10.415.7%

          Health Care

          Item Alachua National avg. Difference
          Optometrist $80.94$125.6835.6%
          Doctor $125.35$135.787.7%
          Dentist $103.14$113.299.0%
          Ibuprofen $10.54$10.651.0%
          Lipitor $490.06$468.604.6%

          Housing

          Item Alachua National avg. Difference
          Home Price $203,500.00$184,700.0010.2%
          Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,315.76$2,346.691.3%
          Apartment Rent $1,079.00$949.0013.7%

          Transportation

          Item Alachua National avg. Difference
          Gasoline $3.36$3.462.9%
          Tire Balancing $54.31$59.929.4%

          Utilities

          Item Alachua National avg. Difference
          All Electricity $162.33$193.9916.3%
          Phone $192.62$192.250.2%
          Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

          Nearby cities with low cost of living

          City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
          Brooker, FL3198514.6%
          La Crosse, FL3578812.0%
          Fort White, FL702919.1%
          Worthington Springs, FL301937.0%
          Gainesville, FL133,611954.8%
          Alachua, FL9,891990.9%

          Cities with similar population

          City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
          Roberval, QC9,887n/a 
          Fort Oglethorpe, GA9,8778514.6%
          Jennings, LA9,8748317.1%
          Denham Springs, LA9,908955.4%
          Northampton, PA9,8691021.8%
          Alachua, FL9,891990.9%
          Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.