A
3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
18%
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 Gainesville Georgia National
Cost of living10393100
Goods & Services9997100
Groceries10098100
Health care97100100
Housing11886100
Transportation9694100
Utilities8186100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Gainesville, GA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Gainesville? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Gainesville stands at 103, making it 3% higher than 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.

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

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Gainesville?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 10 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Gainesville. The results indicated that 40% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 60% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Gainesville Affordable?

Is Gainesville 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 Gainesville, for instance, where the median home price falls 24.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 0.9% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Gainesville flaunting a median household income of $53,662, 3% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Gainesville?

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Gainesville, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates kick off at 1%.

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 Gainesville, the groceries index is 0.3% 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.

Where is the Data From?

The Gainesville cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates 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 Gainesville is 11% higher than the Georgia average
  • The cost of living in Gainesville is 3% higher than the national average
  • Gainesville housing is 18% 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 Gainesville

See all the best places to live around Gainesville

Compare Gainesville, GA 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$77,273$6,439$1,803$2,318
      Renters$35,542$2,962$829$1,066
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Gainesville, GA, 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 Gainesville, homeowners have a median income of $77,273. Using that number, a maximum of $1,803 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $35,542, which means there is a maximum of $829 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Gainesville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $17.24$24.2628.9%
      Beauty Salon $50.47$45.5610.8%
      Toothpaste $3.78$3.702.2%
      Shampoo $1.35$1.285.7%
      Movie $11.26$12.137.2%
      Bowling $23.87$18.0032.6%

      Groceries

      Item Gainesville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.77$5.841.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.43$1.579.1%
      Milk $4.62$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $5.17$4.934.8%
      Pizza $13.21$12.099.3%
      Beer $10.31$10.410.9%

      Health Care

      Item Gainesville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $82.73$125.6834.2%
      Doctor $125.00$135.787.9%
      Dentist $119.40$113.295.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.38$10.652.5%
      Lipitor $481.75$468.602.8%

      Housing

      Item Gainesville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $230,700.00$184,700.0024.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,004.18$2,346.6914.6%
      Apartment Rent $958.00$949.000.9%

      Transportation

      Item Gainesville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.34$3.463.4%
      Tire Balancing $57.12$59.924.7%

      Utilities

      Item Gainesville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $135.93$193.9929.9%
      Phone $189.93$192.251.2%
      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.
      Raoul, GA2,7208119.2%
      Rest Haven, GA438713.1%
      Alto, GA1,2598811.7%
      Lula, GA3,061927.8%
      Talmo, GA242936.7%
      Gainesville, GA41,4641032.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Coppell, TX41,49413534.6%
      Linton Hall, VA41,42614848.1%
      Shakopee, MN41,42311110.7%
      Woodlawn, MD41,50511010.4%
      Grove City, OH41,394990.7%
      Gainesville, GA41,4641032.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.