A
0%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
4%
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 College Park Georgia National
Cost of living10093100
Goods & Services10097100
Groceries10198100
Health care109100100
Housing10486100
Transportation9994100
Utilities8186100

An Overview of Cost of Living in College Park, GA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in College Park? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in College Park stands at 100, making it 0% equal to the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

The cost of living in College Park closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of College Park can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is College Park Affordable?

Is College Park 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 College Park, the median home price is 7.9% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 6.1% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with College Park boasting a median household income of $39,164, 29.2% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in College Park?

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In College Park, the housing index is 3.7% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In College Park, the transportation index is 0.6% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in College Park 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 College Park is 7% higher than the Georgia average
  • The cost of living in College Park is equal to the national average
  • College Park housing is 4% higher than the national average
  • Georgia general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Georgia state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around College Park

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Compare College Park, GA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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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$69,583$5,799$1,623$2,088
      Renters$34,065$2,839$795$1,022
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in College Park is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. College Park has a median income of about $69,583 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,623 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $34,065. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $795 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Georgia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Georgia 4% 8%

      Georgia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Georgia 1% 5.57%

      Goods & Services

      Item College Park National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.25$24.2612.3%
      Beauty Salon $56.36$45.5623.7%
      Toothpaste $3.74$3.700.9%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.283.9%
      Movie $15.20$12.1325.3%
      Bowling $20.98$18.0016.5%

      Groceries

      Item College Park National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.25$5.8410.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.1%
      Milk $4.69$4.670.4%
      Potatoes $5.32$4.937.9%
      Pizza $11.36$12.096.0%
      Beer $10.39$10.410.2%

      Health Care

      Item College Park National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.73$125.683.2%
      Doctor $128.57$135.785.3%
      Dentist $144.73$113.2927.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.74$10.650.8%
      Lipitor $495.22$468.605.7%

      Housing

      Item College Park National avg. Difference
      Home Price $199,200.00$184,700.007.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,292.55$2,346.692.3%
      Apartment Rent $891.00$949.006.1%

      Transportation

      Item College Park National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.5%
      Tire Balancing $69.77$59.9216.4%

      Utilities

      Item College Park National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $134.81$193.9930.5%
      Phone $191.28$192.250.5%
      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.
      Forest Park, GA19,8848514.6%
      Jonesboro, GA5,4288613.9%
      Conley, GA6,6458713.3%
      Lake City, GA2,7949010.3%
      Irondale, GA8,1079010.0%
      College Park, GA14,4791000.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Summerfield, MD14,47712221.9%
      Greece, NY14,477927.6%
      Owosso, MI14,4768812.4%
      Destin, FL14,48212222.3%
      Batavia, NY14,4908910.7%
      College Park, GA14,4791000.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.