B+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
16%
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 Front Royal Virginia National
Cost of living109109100
Goods & Services109100100
Groceries108101100
Health care9799100
Housing116130100
Transportation9595100
Utilities110104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Front Royal, VA

Knowing the cost of living in Front Royal 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 Front Royal stands at 109, marking it 9% higher than the national average.

In Front Royal, 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 Front Royal will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Front Royal Affordable?

Is Front Royal 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 Front Royal, for instance, where the median home price falls 21.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 2.6% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Front Royal flaunting a median household income of $51,675, 6.6% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Front Royal?

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Front Royal, the groceries index is 8.3% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Front Royal comes in at 10.2% higher than the national average.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Front Royal, the housing index stands at 16.1% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Front Royal, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Front Royal is equal to the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Front Royal is 9% higher than the national average
  • Front Royal housing is 16% higher than the national average
  • Virginia general sales tax is 4% higher than the national average
  • Virginia state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Front Royal

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Compare Front Royal, VA 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$73,116$6,093$1,706$2,194
      Renters$37,659$3,138$879$1,130
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Front Royal, VA, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Front Royal, homeowners have a median income of $73,116. Using that number, a maximum of $1,706 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $37,659, which means there is a maximum of $879 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Virginia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Virginia 5.3% 6%

      Virginia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Virginia 2% 5.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Front Royal National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.11$24.267.6%
      Beauty Salon $70.08$45.5653.8%
      Toothpaste $3.81$3.702.8%
      Shampoo $1.51$1.2817.9%
      Movie $15.69$12.1329.3%
      Bowling $24.83$18.0038.0%

      Groceries

      Item Front Royal National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.24$5.846.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.40$1.5711.0%
      Milk $4.78$4.672.2%
      Potatoes $5.49$4.9311.3%
      Pizza $12.56$12.093.9%
      Beer $11.10$10.416.6%

      Health Care

      Item Front Royal National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $92.00$125.6826.8%
      Doctor $135.03$135.780.5%
      Dentist $117.67$113.293.9%
      Ibuprofen $11.52$10.658.1%
      Lipitor $403.79$468.6013.8%

      Housing

      Item Front Royal National avg. Difference
      Home Price $225,200.00$184,700.0021.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $4,819.29$2,346.69105.4%
      Apartment Rent $974.00$949.002.6%

      Transportation

      Item Front Royal National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.25$3.466.0%
      Tire Balancing $59.00$59.921.5%

      Utilities

      Item Front Royal National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $222.47$193.9914.7%
      Phone $197.37$192.252.7%
      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.
      Toms Brook, VA430954.8%
      Middletown, VA1,5851054.6%
      Skyland Estates, VA9411054.7%
      Strasburg, VA6,6431077.4%
      Shenandoah Shores, VA7771098.7%
      Front Royal, VA15,2141099.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Jamestown, ND15,216928.2%
      Lake Country, BC15,217n/a 
      Northview, MI15,209963.7%
      Rutland, VT15,2071011.0%
      Hudson, MA15,22213535.3%
      Front Royal, VA15,2141099.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.