An Overview of Cost of Living in Norcross, GA
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Norcross? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Norcross stands at 107, making it 7% 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.
The cost of living in Norcross closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Norcross can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Norcross, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 27.9% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Is Norcross Affordable?
Is Norcross 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 Norcross is 24.7% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 35.4% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Norcross has a median household income of $65,409, which is 18.2% higher than the national average.
What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Norcross?
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Norcross, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 4%, and income tax rates start at 1%.
Where is the Data From?
The cost of living in Norcross, 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.