A+
18%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
43%
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 Altus Oklahoma National
Cost of living8286100
Goods & Services9091100
Groceries9594100
Health care9793100
Housing5769100
Transportation9493100
Utilities9898100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Altus, OK

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Altus is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Altus is 82, which is 18% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Altus housing costs are 43.1% less than the national average, making this area an affordable place to live. Your net income can be heavily impacted by housing expenses, at times exceeding 30%. Fortunately, this area demonstrates that both homeownership and renting costs are significantly more budget-friendly than in the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, Altus residents can earmark a more manageable portion of their income to housing.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Altus?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 7 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Altus. The feedback revealed that 43% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 57% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Altus Affordable?

Is Altus 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 Altus, the median home price is 51.7% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 22.9% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Altus boasting a median household income of $47,990, 13.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Altus?

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 Altus, the groceries index registers 5.4% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Altus comes in at 2.1% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Altus, healthcare costs are 2.8% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Altus, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Altus is 4% lower than the Oklahoma average
  • The cost of living in Altus is 18% lower than the national average
  • Altus housing is 43% lower than the national average
  • Oklahoma general sales tax is 12% lower than the national average
  • Oklahoma state income tax is 90% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Altus

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Compare Altus, OK 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$66,250$5,521$1,546$1,988
      Renters$34,706$2,892$810$1,041
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Altus, OK, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Altus, homeowners have a median income of $66,250. Using that number, a maximum of $1,546 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $34,706, which means there is a maximum of $810 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Oklahoma Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Oklahoma 4.5% 11%

      Oklahoma Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Oklahoma 0.25% 4.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Altus National avg. Difference
      Haircut $18.44$24.2624.0%
      Beauty Salon $40.04$45.5612.1%
      Toothpaste $3.53$3.704.6%
      Shampoo $1.24$1.283.3%
      Movie $11.19$12.137.7%
      Bowling $16.67$18.007.4%

      Groceries

      Item Altus National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.10$5.844.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.6%
      Milk $4.54$4.672.8%
      Potatoes $4.93$4.930.1%
      Pizza $12.10$12.090.1%
      Beer $9.83$10.415.6%

      Health Care

      Item Altus National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $119.30$125.685.1%
      Doctor $100.35$135.7826.1%
      Dentist $102.46$113.299.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.38$10.652.6%
      Lipitor $511.35$468.609.1%

      Housing

      Item Altus National avg. Difference
      Home Price $89,200.00$184,700.0051.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,086.56$2,346.6911.1%
      Apartment Rent $732.00$949.0022.9%

      Transportation

      Item Altus National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.10$3.4610.5%
      Tire Balancing $62.19$59.923.8%

      Utilities

      Item Altus National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $182.99$193.995.7%
      Phone $193.02$192.250.4%
      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.
      Friendship, OK36937.0%
      Headrick, OK707327.3%
      Tipton, OK7537723.4%
      Olustee, OK7227722.8%
      Elmer, OK927722.7%
      Altus, OK18,5338217.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Thomasville, GA18,530946.1%
      Rancho Mirage, CA18,53715150.8%
      Milledgeville, GA18,5268910.8%
      Lake Shore, MD18,52313433.5%
      Merrifield, VA18,52315554.9%
      Altus, OK18,5338217.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.