B
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
15%
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 Fort Thomas Kentucky National
Cost of living10690100
Goods & Services102101100
Groceries102101100
Health care10384100
Housing11570100
Transportation10292100
Utilities100104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Fort Thomas, KY

The cost of living in Fort Thomas 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 Fort Thomas is 106, which is 6% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Fort Thomas are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Fort Thomas can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Fort Thomas Affordable?

Is Fort Thomas 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 Fort Thomas, for instance, where the median home price falls 24.7% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 6% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Fort Thomas flaunting a median household income of $80,549, 45.6% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Fort Thomas?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Fort Thomas, the transportation index is 2.4% higher 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.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Fort Thomas, healthcare costs are 2.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Fort Thomas 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 Fort Thomas is 17% higher than the Kentucky average
  • The cost of living in Fort Thomas is 6% higher than the national average
  • Fort Thomas housing is 15% higher than the national average
  • Kentucky general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Kentucky state income tax is 73% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Fort Thomas

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Compare Fort Thomas, KY 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$101,800$8,483$2,375$3,054
      Renters$44,605$3,717$1,041$1,338
      The affordability of the housing market in Fort Thomas, KY 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 Fort Thomas homeowners, the median income is $101,800. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $2,375 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $44,605. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,041 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Kentucky Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Kentucky 6% 6%

      Kentucky Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Kentucky 4.5% 4.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Fort Thomas National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.13$24.263.6%
      Beauty Salon $37.93$45.5616.7%
      Toothpaste $3.60$3.702.7%
      Shampoo $1.27$1.280.6%
      Movie $14.35$12.1318.3%
      Bowling $17.56$18.002.5%

      Groceries

      Item Fort Thomas National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.91$5.841.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.72$1.579.1%
      Milk $4.80$4.672.7%
      Potatoes $5.05$4.932.3%
      Pizza $11.92$12.091.4%
      Beer $10.63$10.412.1%

      Health Care

      Item Fort Thomas National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $105.42$125.6816.1%
      Doctor $159.40$135.7817.4%
      Dentist $106.67$113.295.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.68$10.650.3%
      Lipitor $497.02$468.606.1%

      Housing

      Item Fort Thomas National avg. Difference
      Home Price $230,300.00$184,700.0024.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,993.26$2,346.6915.1%
      Apartment Rent $892.00$949.006.0%

      Transportation

      Item Fort Thomas National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.27$3.465.6%
      Tire Balancing $73.09$59.9222.0%

      Utilities

      Item Fort Thomas National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $197.10$193.991.6%
      Phone $186.48$192.253.0%
      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.
      Plainville, OH1531021.7%
      Dillonvale village, OH6458316.6%
      Elmwood Place, OH2,0718416.4%
      Arlington Heights, OH8278514.7%
      Lincoln Heights, OH3,3598613.8%
      Fort Thomas, KY16,3351065.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Pearl River, NY16,34014746.8%
      Chickasha, OK16,3268218.0%
      Coos Bay, OR16,3261033.2%
      Beaver Dam, WI16,322946.3%
      Lebanon, IN16,317919.0%
      Fort Thomas, KY16,3351065.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.