A+
17%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
46%
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 Alice Texas National
Cost of living8392100
Goods & Services9296100
Groceries9796100
Health care8594100
Housing5483100
Transportation9392100
Utilities116104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Alice, TX

Understanding the cost of living in Alice can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Alice cost of living index is 83, which is 17% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

Housing costs often consume a significant share of your take-home income, often surpassing 30%. Fortunately, Alice distinguishes itself by reporting housing expenses that are 46.1% below the national average. This indicates that both owning a home and renting in this area are notably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the nation. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Alice can allocate more of their income to housing, enhancing their financial flexibility.

Is Alice Affordable?

Is Alice affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Alice, the median home price is 58.6% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 16.9% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Alice boasting a median household income of $39,770, 28.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Alice?

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Alice, the utilities index registers 16.3% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Alice, the groceries index registers 3.3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Alice displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Alice is 10% lower than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Alice is 17% lower than the national average
  • Alice housing is 46% lower than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Alice

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Compare Alice, TX 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$57,799$4,817$1,349$1,734
      Renters$27,185$2,265$634$816
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Alice, TX, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Alice homeowners, is $57,799. This would allow for a maximum of $1,349 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $27,185 which would result in a maximum of $634 to be spent on rental costs.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

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

      Goods & Services

      Item Alice National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.53$24.2611.3%
      Beauty Salon $42.00$45.567.8%
      Toothpaste $3.59$3.703.0%
      Shampoo $1.19$1.287.3%
      Movie $9.60$12.1320.9%
      Bowling $18.83$18.004.6%

      Groceries

      Item Alice National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.60$5.844.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.66$1.575.3%
      Milk $4.63$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $4.86$4.931.5%
      Pizza $13.24$12.099.5%
      Beer $10.07$10.413.3%

      Health Care

      Item Alice National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $126.53$125.680.7%
      Doctor $101.11$135.7825.5%
      Dentist $91.28$113.2919.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.41$10.652.2%
      Lipitor $468.06$468.600.1%

      Housing

      Item Alice National avg. Difference
      Home Price $76,400.00$184,700.0058.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,663.11$2,346.6929.1%
      Apartment Rent $789.00$949.0016.9%

      Transportation

      Item Alice National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.07$3.4611.4%
      Tire Balancing $62.05$59.923.6%

      Utilities

      Item Alice National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $234.01$193.9920.6%
      Phone $209.24$192.258.8%
      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.
      Owl Ranch, TX286964.1%
      Westdale, TX93964.1%
      Loma Linda East, TX123964.1%
      South La Paloma, TX389964.1%
      Loma Linda East CDP (Starr County), TX0964.1%
      Alice, TX18,8598316.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Bellaire, TX18,86218382.7%
      Newton, KS18,8468812.0%
      Franklin Farm, VA18,84517171.1%
      Alsip, IL18,8431011.1%
      Claremore, OK18,8758811.7%
      Alice, TX18,8598316.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.