A+
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
31%
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 Ozark Alabama National
Cost of living8988100
Goods & Services10596100
Groceries9596100
Health care9487100
Housing6972100
Transportation8991100
Utilities83102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Ozark, AL

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Ozark? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Ozark stands at 89, making it 11% lower 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.

Is Ozark Affordable?

Is Ozark 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 Ozark, the median home price is 33% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 25.9% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Ozark boasting a median household income of $41,894, 24.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Ozark?

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Ozark, the general sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates begin at 2%.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

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 Ozark, the housing index is 30.9% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Ozark 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. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Ozark is equal to the Alabama average
  • The cost of living in Ozark is 11% lower than the national average
  • Ozark housing is 31% 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 Ozark

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Compare Ozark, 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$60,994$5,083$1,423$1,830
      Renters$23,165$1,930$540$695
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Ozark, AL, 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 Ozark have a median income of $60,994. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,423 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $23,165, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $540.

      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 Ozark National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.34$24.2612.0%
      Beauty Salon $52.41$45.5615.0%
      Toothpaste $3.71$3.700.3%
      Shampoo $1.17$1.288.4%
      Movie $12.99$12.137.1%
      Bowling $20.00$18.0011.1%

      Groceries

      Item Ozark National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.17$5.845.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.2%
      Milk $4.50$4.673.8%
      Potatoes $5.20$4.935.4%
      Pizza $12.56$12.093.9%
      Beer $10.49$10.410.8%

      Health Care

      Item Ozark National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $107.95$125.6814.1%
      Doctor $106.49$135.7821.6%
      Dentist $113.85$113.290.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.06$10.655.6%
      Lipitor $510.84$468.609.0%

      Housing

      Item Ozark National avg. Difference
      Home Price $123,800.00$184,700.0033.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,585.50$2,346.6932.4%
      Apartment Rent $703.00$949.0025.9%

      Transportation

      Item Ozark National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.5%
      Tire Balancing $47.55$59.9220.6%

      Utilities

      Item Ozark National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $142.23$193.9926.7%
      Phone $188.01$192.252.2%
      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.
      Blue Springs, AL847822.4%
      Napier Field, AL5098019.7%
      Newton, AL1,5028416.0%
      Ariton, AL7318415.5%
      Grimes, AL6658515.3%
      Ozark, AL14,3508911.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Southern Pines, NC14,34711111.0%
      Johnstown, CO14,35712525.4%
      Lavaltrie, QC14,339n/a 
      Fort Campbell North, KY14,3631066.2%
      Johnson City, NY14,3298812.4%
      Ozark, AL14,3508911.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.