A+
24%
Overall NAT. AVG.
13%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
60%
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 Donna Texas National
Cost of living7692100
Goods & Services8896100
Groceries9196100
Health care7694100
Housing4083100
Transportation9192100
Utilities106104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Donna, TX

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Donna 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 Donna is 76, which is 24% 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.

According to the latest cost of living report, Donna stands out as one of the most budget-friendly places to reside in the nation. In fact, only a handful of cities boast a cost of living index that is at least 20% below the national average, and Donna proudly belongs to that select group. This underscores the exceptional affordability of this region in comparison to other urban centers.

It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Donna stands out by reporting housing costs that are 59.5% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.

Everyday staples like clothes, toiletries and entertainment expenses play a big role in your total living costs. But in Donna, these goods are 12.5% cheaper than the national average. So, you can enjoy what you need and love without emptying your wallet. Plus, you'll have more cash to put towards your savings or any other money goals you have, which is a real boost for your financial well-being.

Grocery prices are climbing, making it hard to find cities with affordable food options. However, in Donna, the grocery index is 8.6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly place to shop for groceries when compared to other cities across the country.

Is Donna Affordable?

Is Donna 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 Donna, the median home price is 67.6% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 40.7% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Donna come in at $27,226, which is 50.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Donna?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Donna, healthcare costs are 24.2% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Donna, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 0%.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Donna, the groceries index is 8.6% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Donna cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Donna is 18% lower than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Donna is 24% lower than the national average
  • Donna housing is 60% lower than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Donna

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Compare Donna, TX 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$38,419$3,202$896$1,153
      Renters$15,417$1,285$360$463
      The affordability of the housing market in Donna, TX as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Donna homeowners, the median income is $38,419. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $896 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $15,417. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $360 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Texas 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Donna National avg. Difference
      Haircut $17.78$24.2626.7%
      Beauty Salon $30.94$45.5632.1%
      Toothpaste $3.40$3.708.2%
      Shampoo $1.05$1.2818.0%
      Movie $11.98$12.131.3%
      Bowling $20.00$18.0011.1%

      Groceries

      Item Donna National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.77$5.841.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.1%
      Milk $4.51$4.673.5%
      Potatoes $4.84$4.932.0%
      Pizza $11.29$12.096.6%
      Beer $10.29$10.411.2%

      Health Care

      Item Donna National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $115.00$125.688.5%
      Doctor $119.56$135.7811.9%
      Dentist $113.53$113.290.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.25$10.653.8%
      Lipitor $465.59$468.600.6%

      Housing

      Item Donna National avg. Difference
      Home Price $59,900.00$184,700.0067.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,864.04$2,346.6920.6%
      Apartment Rent $563.00$949.0040.7%

      Transportation

      Item Donna National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.16$3.468.7%
      Tire Balancing $54.06$59.929.8%

      Utilities

      Item Donna National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $221.71$193.9914.3%
      Phone $208.71$192.258.6%
      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.
      La Chuparosa, TX448515.5%
      Yznaga, TX568515.5%
      Tierra Bonita, TX658515.5%
      Villa Verde, TX203919.3%
      Evergreen, TX39919.3%
      Donna, TX16,3817624.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Pinehurst, NC16,38211818.1%
      Fort Hunt, VA16,38318887.7%
      Severn, ON16,377n/a 
      Dyersburg, TN16,3718614.4%
      Gainesville, VA16,39115251.8%
      Donna, TX16,3817624.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.