A
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
10%
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 Harvey Louisiana National
Cost of living9591100
Goods & Services10396100
Groceries9695100
Health care11499100
Housing9081100
Transportation9296100
Utilities7884100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Harvey, LA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Harvey 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 Harvey is 95, which is 5% 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.

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

Is Harvey Affordable?

Is Harvey 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 Harvey, the median home price is 17.8% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 6.6% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Harvey come in at $45,048, which is 18.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Harvey?

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 Harvey, the groceries index is 4.4% lower than the national average.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Harvey, the housing index comes in at 10.5% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, 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. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Harvey, 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 Harvey is 5% higher than the Louisiana average
  • The cost of living in Harvey is 5% lower than the national average
  • Harvey housing is 10% lower than the national average
  • Louisiana general sales tax is 13% lower than the national average
  • Louisiana state income tax is 29% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Harvey

See all the best places to live around Harvey

Compare Harvey, LA Cost of Living

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      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$61,676$5,140$1,439$1,850
      Renters$32,490$2,708$758$975
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Harvey, LA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Harvey have a median income of $61,676. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,439 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $32,490, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $758.

      Louisiana Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Louisiana 4.45% 11.45%

      Louisiana Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Louisiana 1.85% 4.25%

      Goods & Services

      Item Harvey National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.67$24.2610.7%
      Beauty Salon $43.17$45.565.3%
      Toothpaste $3.57$3.703.6%
      Shampoo $1.22$1.284.5%
      Movie $13.30$12.139.6%
      Bowling $12.33$18.0031.5%

      Groceries

      Item Harvey National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.15$5.845.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.6%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $5.31$4.937.5%
      Pizza $12.61$12.094.3%
      Beer $10.23$10.411.7%

      Health Care

      Item Harvey National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $128.17$125.682.0%
      Doctor $127.78$135.785.9%
      Dentist $129.44$113.2914.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.46$10.651.8%
      Lipitor $482.03$468.602.9%

      Housing

      Item Harvey National avg. Difference
      Home Price $151,800.00$184,700.0017.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,882.94$2,346.6919.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,012.00$949.006.6%

      Transportation

      Item Harvey National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.14$3.469.2%
      Tire Balancing $68.00$59.9213.5%

      Utilities

      Item Harvey National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $149.86$193.9922.8%
      Phone $186.90$192.252.8%
      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.
      Pleasure Bend, LA3008416.1%
      Bridge City, LA6,4098811.6%
      Avondale, LA4,8899010.3%
      Westwego, LA8,411909.7%
      St. Rose, LA6,770918.6%
      Harvey, LA20,992955.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kuna, ID20,98511110.6%
      Holiday, FL21,0068713.2%
      Eustis, FL21,010955.1%
      Pleasant Prairie, WI20,96911110.5%
      Chambersburg, PA21,017991.4%
      Harvey, LA20,992955.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.