A+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
20%
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 Sanford North Carolina National
Cost of living9194100
Goods & Services9698100
Groceries10098100
Health care104108100
Housing8085100
Transportation9392100
Utilities9194100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Sanford, NC

Knowing the cost of living in Sanford 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 Sanford stands at 91, marking it 9% lower than the national average.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Sanford are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Sanford can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Sanford Affordable?

Is Sanford 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 Sanford is 21.5% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 17.8% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Sanford has a median household income of $47,017, which is 15% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sanford?

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 Sanford, the groceries index is 0.1% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Sanford, the transportation index stands at 6.7% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, 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. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Sanford displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Sanford is 3% lower than the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Sanford is 9% lower than the national average
  • Sanford housing is 20% lower than the national average
  • North Carolina general sales tax is 7% lower than the national average
  • North Carolina state income tax is 83% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Sanford

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Compare Sanford, NC 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$65,454$5,455$1,527$1,964
      Renters$34,272$2,856$800$1,028
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Sanford, NC, 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 Sanford have a median income of $65,454. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,527 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $34,272, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $800.

      North Carolina Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      North Carolina 4.75% 7.5%

      North Carolina Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      North Carolina 4.75% 4.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Sanford National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.20$24.2616.2%
      Beauty Salon $50.33$45.5610.5%
      Toothpaste $3.85$3.703.9%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.284.1%
      Movie $12.19$12.130.4%
      Bowling $20.00$18.0011.1%

      Groceries

      Item Sanford National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.28$5.847.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.36$1.5713.2%
      Milk $4.64$4.670.7%
      Potatoes $4.99$4.931.1%
      Pizza $10.73$12.0911.3%
      Beer $10.46$10.410.4%

      Health Care

      Item Sanford National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $126.46$125.680.6%
      Doctor $146.71$135.788.1%
      Dentist $136.77$113.2920.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.94$10.652.7%
      Lipitor $385.26$468.6017.8%

      Housing

      Item Sanford National avg. Difference
      Home Price $144,900.00$184,700.0021.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,475.99$2,346.695.5%
      Apartment Rent $780.00$949.0017.8%

      Transportation

      Item Sanford National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.32$3.464.1%
      Tire Balancing $42.85$59.9228.5%

      Utilities

      Item Sanford National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $161.71$193.9916.6%
      Phone $186.82$192.252.8%
      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.
      Gulf, NC0963.8%
      Moncure, NC7988020.0%
      Cameron, NC4768811.8%
      Carthage, NC2,518919.1%
      Goldston, NC392946.5%
      Sanford, NC29,758918.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Walnut, CA29,76419393.0%
      East Lake-Orient Park, FL29,750945.5%
      Whitehorse, YT29,774n/a 
      Parkersburg, WV29,7328415.9%
      Leamington, ON29,703n/a 
      Sanford, NC29,758918.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.