A+
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
1%
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 Lehigh Acres Florida National
Cost of living10298100
Goods & Services10598100
Groceries9999100
Health care10896100
Housing10196100
Transportation10799100
Utilities9697100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Lehigh Acres, FL

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Lehigh Acres? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Lehigh Acres stands at 102, making it 2% 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 Lehigh Acres, 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 Lehigh Acres will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Lehigh Acres Affordable?

Is Lehigh Acres 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 Lehigh Acres is 8.2% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 22.9% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Lehigh Acres has a median household income of $49,937, which is 9.7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Lehigh Acres?

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Lehigh Acres, the transportation index is 7.4% 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: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Lehigh Acres, the utilities index registers 4.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Lehigh Acres, 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 Lehigh Acres is 5% higher than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in Lehigh Acres is 2% higher than the national average
  • Lehigh Acres housing is 1% 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 Lehigh Acres

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Compare Lehigh Acres, 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$56,596$4,716$1,320$1,698
      Renters$38,162$3,180$890$1,145
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Lehigh Acres, FL, 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 Lehigh Acres, the median monthly income is $56,596 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,320 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $38,162, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $890 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Lehigh Acres National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.20$24.2616.2%
      Beauty Salon $54.05$45.5618.6%
      Toothpaste $3.63$3.701.9%
      Shampoo $1.45$1.2813.5%
      Movie $13.05$12.137.6%
      Bowling $21.20$18.0017.8%

      Groceries

      Item Lehigh Acres National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.06$5.843.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.40$1.5711.0%
      Milk $4.57$4.672.2%
      Potatoes $5.24$4.936.1%
      Pizza $11.72$12.093.0%
      Beer $11.06$10.416.2%

      Health Care

      Item Lehigh Acres National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $101.67$125.6819.1%
      Doctor $153.94$135.7813.4%
      Dentist $122.09$113.297.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.59$10.650.6%
      Lipitor $535.04$468.6014.2%

      Housing

      Item Lehigh Acres National avg. Difference
      Home Price $169,500.00$184,700.008.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,422.46$2,346.693.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,166.00$949.0022.9%

      Transportation

      Item Lehigh Acres National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.47$3.460.2%
      Tire Balancing $74.92$59.9225.0%

      Utilities

      Item Lehigh Acres National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $179.36$193.997.5%
      Phone $194.07$192.250.9%
      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.
      Charleston Park, FL1541032.8%
      Suncoast Estates, FL4,7598811.6%
      North Fort Myers, FL42,315928.1%
      LaBelle, FL5,186937.4%
      Tice, FL5,379936.7%
      Lehigh Acres, FL124,5231022.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Abilene, TX124,691909.9%
      Norman, OK124,086946.2%
      Athens, GA124,962973.3%
      Fargo, ND123,5501010.5%
      Simi Valley, CA125,76817170.8%
      Lehigh Acres, FL124,5231022.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.