An Overview of Cost of Living in Bethany, OK
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Bethany 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 Bethany is 88, which is 12% 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.
Everyday essentials such as clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment all contribute to your overall cost of living. The good news is that in Bethany, these goods and services come in at 13.1% less than the national average. This means you can enjoy the things you need and love without breaking the bank. With such savings, you have the opportunity to allocate more funds towards your savings or other financial goals, ultimately enhancing your financial well-being.
Is Bethany Affordable?
Is Bethany 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 Bethany, for instance, where the median home price falls 30.4% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 2.1% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Bethany flaunting a median household income of $51,286, 7.3% lower than the national norm.
What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bethany?
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Bethany, the housing index is 21.9% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Bethany, the transportation index is 2% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Bethany, the general sales tax rate starts at 4.5%, and income tax rates begin at 0.25%.
Where is the Data From?
The Bethany 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.