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3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
3%
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 Calera Alabama National
Cost of living9788100
Goods & Services9896100
Groceries9796100
Health care9487100
Housing9772100
Transportation9191100
Utilities108102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Calera, AL

The cost of living in Calera affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Calera is 97, which is 3% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

In Calera, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Calera will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Calera Affordable?

Is Calera an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Calera, the median home price is 16.6% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 27.6% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Calera come in at $68,171, which is 23.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Calera?

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Calera, the groceries index is 3.3% lower than the national average.

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.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Calera, the utilities index registers at 7.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Calera 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 Calera is 10% higher than the Alabama average
  • The cost of living in Calera is 3% lower than the national average
  • Calera housing is 3% lower than the national average
  • Alabama general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Alabama state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Calera

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Compare Calera, AL 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$70,122$5,844$1,636$2,104
      Renters$57,827$4,819$1,349$1,735
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Calera, AL, 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 Calera homeowners, is $70,122. This would allow for a maximum of $1,636 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $57,827 which would result in a maximum of $1,349 to be spent on rental costs.

      Alabama Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Alabama 4% 13.5%

      Alabama Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Alabama 2% 5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Calera National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.07$24.2617.3%
      Beauty Salon $45.74$45.560.4%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.6%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.284.1%
      Movie $12.54$12.133.3%
      Bowling $16.37$18.009.1%

      Groceries

      Item Calera National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.01$5.843.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.66$1.575.5%
      Milk $4.54$4.672.9%
      Potatoes $5.23$4.936.0%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $10.40$10.410.1%

      Health Care

      Item Calera National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $92.33$125.6826.5%
      Doctor $101.83$135.7825.0%
      Dentist $125.78$113.2911.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.28$10.653.5%
      Lipitor $460.79$468.601.7%

      Housing

      Item Calera National avg. Difference
      Home Price $154,100.00$184,700.0016.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,935.73$2,346.6917.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,211.00$949.0027.6%

      Transportation

      Item Calera National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.13$3.469.7%
      Tire Balancing $54.52$59.929.0%

      Utilities

      Item Calera National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $219.40$193.9913.1%
      Phone $188.55$192.251.9%
      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.
      Brantleyville, AL8107722.6%
      Shelby, AL9878416.3%
      Wilton, AL8138613.6%
      Jemison, AL2,6588812.0%
      Thorsby, AL2,1228911.3%
      Calera, AL14,327972.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Ingersoll, ON14,325n/a 
      Johnson City, NY14,3298812.4%
      Glens Falls, NY14,322981.6%
      Lindenhurst, IL14,31711312.9%
      Lavaltrie, QC14,339n/a 
      Calera, AL14,327972.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.