B
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
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 Garden City Idaho National
Cost of living10896100
Goods & Services106101100
Groceries104101100
Health care10299100
Housing11888100
Transportation111105100
Utilities8486100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Garden City, ID

Understanding the cost of living in Garden City can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Garden City cost of living index is 108, which is 8% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Garden City aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Garden City residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Is Garden City Affordable?

Wondering if Garden City is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Garden City, for example, the median home price is 30% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 10.5% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Garden City boasting a median household income of $50,185, which is 9.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Garden City?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Garden City, healthcare costs are 1.7% higher than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Garden City, the housing index is 17.9% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Garden City 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 Garden City is 12% higher than the Idaho average
  • The cost of living in Garden City is 8% higher than the national average
  • Garden City housing is 18% higher than the national average
  • Idaho general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Idaho state income tax is 123% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Garden City

See all the best places to live around Garden City

Compare Garden City, ID 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$63,478$5,290$1,481$1,905
      Renters$36,642$3,054$855$1,099
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Garden City, ID, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Garden City, the median monthly income is $63,478 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,481 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $36,642, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $855 on monthly rental expenses.

      Idaho Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Idaho 6% 8.5%

      Idaho Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Idaho 5.8% 5.8%

      Goods & Services

      Item Garden City National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.88$24.2614.9%
      Beauty Salon $41.57$45.568.8%
      Toothpaste $4.22$3.7014.1%
      Shampoo $1.21$1.285.3%
      Movie $11.60$12.134.4%
      Bowling $18.53$18.002.9%

      Groceries

      Item Garden City National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.96$5.842.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.577.0%
      Milk $4.91$4.675.0%
      Potatoes $4.57$4.937.4%
      Pizza $11.56$12.094.4%
      Beer $10.59$10.411.7%

      Health Care

      Item Garden City National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $152.62$125.6821.4%
      Doctor $150.90$135.7811.1%
      Dentist $97.00$113.2914.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.79$10.651.3%
      Lipitor $524.49$468.6011.9%

      Housing

      Item Garden City National avg. Difference
      Home Price $240,200.00$184,700.0030.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,525.04$2,346.697.6%
      Apartment Rent $849.00$949.0010.5%

      Transportation

      Item Garden City National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.60$3.463.9%
      Tire Balancing $75.93$59.9226.7%

      Utilities

      Item Garden City National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $154.20$193.9920.5%
      Phone $176.97$192.257.9%
      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.
      Kuna, ID20,98511110.6%
      Boise, ID228,05711414.0%
      Star, ID9,81911515.5%
      Robie Creek, ID1,38011716.9%
      Meridian, ID107,78711818.2%
      Garden City, ID11,8731087.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Gold Canyon, AZ11,87512221.7%
      Eufaula, AL11,8788812.0%
      Franklin, OH11,8789010.1%
      Robertsville, NJ11,86615655.7%
      Port Washington, WI11,8811043.7%
      Garden City, ID11,8731087.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.