A+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
36%
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 Auburn New York National
Cost of living91117100
Goods & Services101108100
Groceries99102100
Health care103103100
Housing64145100
Transportation108105100
Utilities105100100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Auburn, NY

Understanding the cost of living in Auburn 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 Auburn cost of living index is 91, which is 9% 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.

The cost of living in Auburn is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Auburn Affordable?

Is Auburn affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Auburn, for instance, where the median home price falls 41.8% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 21.7% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Auburn flaunting a median household income of $43,555, 21.3% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Auburn?

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Auburn, the housing index stands at 35.8% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Auburn, the groceries index is 1% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Auburn cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Auburn is 22% lower than the New York average
  • The cost of living in Auburn is 9% lower than the national average
  • Auburn housing is 36% lower than the national average
  • New York general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • New York state income tax is 54% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Auburn

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Compare Auburn, NY Cost of Living

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      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$70,554$5,880$1,646$2,117
      Renters$27,529$2,294$642$826
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Auburn, NY, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Auburn have a median income of $70,554. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,646 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $27,529, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $642.

      New York Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New York 4% 8.875%

      New York Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New York 4% 10.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Auburn National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.03$24.2617.4%
      Beauty Salon $42.39$45.567.0%
      Toothpaste $3.62$3.702.2%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.284.1%
      Movie $13.27$12.139.4%
      Bowling $16.74$18.007.0%

      Groceries

      Item Auburn National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.93$5.841.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.71$4.670.8%
      Potatoes $5.13$4.933.9%
      Pizza $14.83$12.0922.7%
      Beer $10.15$10.412.5%

      Health Care

      Item Auburn National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $160.58$125.6827.8%
      Doctor $115.23$135.7815.1%
      Dentist $110.48$113.292.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.49$10.651.5%
      Lipitor $530.04$468.6013.1%

      Housing

      Item Auburn National avg. Difference
      Home Price $107,500.00$184,700.0041.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,384.28$2,346.691.6%
      Apartment Rent $743.00$949.0021.7%

      Transportation

      Item Auburn National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.59$3.463.8%
      Tire Balancing $69.82$59.9216.5%

      Utilities

      Item Auburn National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $166.89$193.9914.0%
      Phone $194.41$192.251.1%
      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.
      Savannah, NY5508515.1%
      Romulus, NY4318812.1%
      Port Byron, NY1,0428910.8%
      Waterloo, NY4,7078910.5%
      Seneca Falls, NY6,2769010.3%
      Auburn, NY26,383919.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cabot, AR26,376963.6%
      Vernon Hills, IL26,39612727.4%
      Garden City, KS26,403936.7%
      Paramus, NJ26,40316868.1%
      Fremont, NE26,362919.1%
      Auburn, NY26,383919.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.