A+
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
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 Jasper Alabama National
Cost of living9388100
Goods & Services9896100
Groceries9796100
Health care9487100
Housing8272100
Transportation9191100
Utilities108102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Jasper, AL

Knowing the cost of living in Jasper 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 Jasper stands at 93, marking it 7% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Jasper is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Jasper Affordable?

Is Jasper affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Jasper, the median home price is 14.1% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 27.7% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Jasper boasting a median household income of $53,308, 3.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Jasper?

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Jasper, the groceries index is 3.3% lower than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Jasper, the housing index is 18.2% lower 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 Jasper 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. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Jasper is 5% higher than the Alabama average
  • The cost of living in Jasper is 7% lower than the national average
  • Jasper housing is 18% lower than the national average
  • Alabama general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Alabama state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Jasper

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Compare Jasper, AL 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$63,482$5,290$1,481$1,905
      Renters$27,274$2,273$636$818
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Jasper is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Jasper has a median income of about $63,482 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,481 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $27,274. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $636 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Alabama Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Alabama 4% 13.5%

      Alabama Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Alabama 2% 5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Jasper National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.07$24.2617.3%
      Beauty Salon $45.74$45.560.4%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.6%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.284.1%
      Movie $12.54$12.133.3%
      Bowling $16.37$18.009.1%

      Groceries

      Item Jasper National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.01$5.843.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.66$1.575.5%
      Milk $4.54$4.672.9%
      Potatoes $5.23$4.936.0%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $10.40$10.410.1%

      Health Care

      Item Jasper National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $92.33$125.6826.5%
      Doctor $101.83$135.7825.0%
      Dentist $125.78$113.2911.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.28$10.653.5%
      Lipitor $460.79$468.601.7%

      Housing

      Item Jasper National avg. Difference
      Home Price $158,600.00$184,700.0014.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,935.73$2,346.6917.5%
      Apartment Rent $686.00$949.0027.7%

      Transportation

      Item Jasper National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.13$3.469.7%
      Tire Balancing $54.52$59.929.0%

      Utilities

      Item Jasper National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $219.40$193.9913.1%
      Phone $188.55$192.251.9%
      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.
      Parrish, AL1,1027920.8%
      Oakman, AL8537920.8%
      Cordova, AL1,6558019.8%
      Nauvoo, AL1298119.0%
      Carbon Hill, AL1,3548118.6%
      Jasper, AL13,584937.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Olean, NY13,5808118.7%
      Iona, FL13,58811211.6%
      Oatfield, OR13,58813030.4%
      Forest City, FL13,59211212.0%
      Jensen Beach, FL13,5921055.3%
      Jasper, AL13,584937.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.