A+
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
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 Bluffton Indiana National
Cost of living8590100
Goods & Services9694100
Groceries10198100
Health care9696100
Housing5772100
Transportation9895100
Utilities102107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Bluffton, IN

Knowing the cost of living in Bluffton allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Bluffton stands at 85, marking it 15% lower than the national average.

Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Bluffton are 43.4% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.

Is Bluffton Affordable?

Is Bluffton an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Bluffton is 45.6% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 38.5% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Bluffton has a median household income of $46,663, which is 15.7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bluffton?

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Bluffton, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 7%, and income tax rates start at 3.23%.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Bluffton, the transportation index stands at 2.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Bluffton 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 Bluffton is 5% lower than the Indiana average
  • The cost of living in Bluffton is 15% lower than the national average
  • Bluffton housing is 43% lower than the national average
  • Indiana general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Indiana state income tax is 21% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Bluffton

See all the best places to live around Bluffton

Compare Bluffton, IN 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$64,028$5,336$1,494$1,921
      Renters$26,670$2,223$622$800
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Bluffton, IN, 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 Bluffton homeowners, is $64,028. This would allow for a maximum of $1,494 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $26,670 which would result in a maximum of $622 to be spent on rental costs.

      Indiana Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Indiana 7% 7%

      Indiana Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Indiana 3.15% 3.15%

      Goods & Services

      Item Bluffton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.22$24.268.1%
      Beauty Salon $33.78$45.5625.9%
      Toothpaste $3.63$3.702.0%
      Shampoo $1.32$1.283.3%
      Movie $12.75$12.135.1%
      Bowling $16.72$18.007.1%

      Groceries

      Item Bluffton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.10$5.844.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.64$1.574.1%
      Milk $4.74$4.671.5%
      Potatoes $5.08$4.933.0%
      Pizza $12.79$12.095.8%
      Beer $10.06$10.413.3%

      Health Care

      Item Bluffton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $104.30$125.6817.0%
      Doctor $119.61$135.7811.9%
      Dentist $110.00$113.292.9%
      Ibuprofen $10.59$10.650.6%
      Lipitor $528.19$468.6012.7%

      Housing

      Item Bluffton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $100,500.00$184,700.0045.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,635.69$2,346.6930.3%
      Apartment Rent $584.00$949.0038.5%

      Transportation

      Item Bluffton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.35$3.463.2%
      Tire Balancing $59.65$59.920.5%

      Utilities

      Item Bluffton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $197.87$193.992.0%
      Phone $192.69$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.
      Bryant, IN2147524.7%
      Montpelier, IN1,7908118.9%
      Poneto, IN1808217.6%
      Vera Cruz, IN678317.0%
      Geneva, IN1,2278514.7%
      Bluffton, IN10,2988514.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Nanticoke, PA10,2968514.5%
      Melvindale, MI10,3008712.7%
      Forest Acres, SC10,3001021.6%
      Bonham, TX10,295964.0%
      Cottage Grove, OR10,3021054.7%
      Bluffton, IN10,2988514.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.