F
64%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
218%
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 Lake Butler Florida National
Cost of living16498100
Goods & Services10198100
Groceries9899100
Health care9296100
Housing31896100
Transportation9599100
Utilities9097100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Lake Butler, FL

The cost of living in Lake Butler affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Lake Butler is 164, which is 64% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Lake Butler may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Lake Butler falls within this bracket.

Housing costs significantly influence the Lake Butler cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 217.8%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Is Lake Butler Affordable?

Is Lake Butler an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Lake Butler is 259.4% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 120.7% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Lake Butler has a median household income of $130,815, which is 136.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Lake Butler?

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 Lake Butler, the housing index stands at 217.8% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Lake Butler, the utilities index registers at 9.9% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Lake Butler, 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 Lake Butler is 67% higher than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in Lake Butler is 64% higher than the national average
  • Lake Butler housing is 218% higher than the national average
  • Florida general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Florida state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Lake Butler

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Compare Lake Butler, FL 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$160,507$13,376$3,745$4,816
      Renters$59,028$4,919$1,377$1,771
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Lake Butler, FL, 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 Lake Butler, homeowners have a median income of $160,507. Using that number, a maximum of $3,745 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $59,028, which means there is a maximum of $1,377 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Florida Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Florida 6% 7.5%

      Florida Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Florida 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Lake Butler National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.53$24.269.4%
      Beauty Salon $55.13$45.5621.0%
      Toothpaste $3.84$3.703.8%
      Shampoo $1.48$1.2815.8%
      Movie $13.54$12.1311.6%
      Bowling $19.87$18.0010.4%

      Groceries

      Item Lake Butler National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.26$5.847.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.40$1.5711.0%
      Milk $4.58$4.671.9%
      Potatoes $5.23$4.936.0%
      Pizza $13.13$12.098.6%
      Beer $11.07$10.416.3%

      Health Care

      Item Lake Butler National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $118.44$125.685.8%
      Doctor $137.00$135.780.9%
      Dentist $125.36$113.2910.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.89$10.652.2%
      Lipitor $446.86$468.604.6%

      Housing

      Item Lake Butler National avg. Difference
      Home Price $663,800.00$184,700.00259.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,463.53$2,346.695.0%
      Apartment Rent $2,094.00$949.00120.7%

      Transportation

      Item Lake Butler National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.39$3.462.1%
      Tire Balancing $57.07$59.924.8%

      Utilities

      Item Lake Butler National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $190.71$193.991.7%
      Phone $194.67$192.251.3%
      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.
      Tildenville, FL43972.6%
      Lake Buena Vista, FL4972.6%
      Lake Butler city, FL2,1858118.7%
      Bay Lake, FL438416.3%
      Clarcona, FL4,6878911.1%
      Lake Butler, FL17,70016463.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Zachary, LA17,6991044.3%
      Takoma Park, MD17,70315958.7%
      Wisconsin Rapids, WI17,6918119.3%
      Natchitoches, LA17,711927.6%
      White Settlement, TX17,716972.8%
      Lake Butler, FL17,70016463.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.