A+
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
33%
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 Tonawanda New York National
Cost of living87117100
Goods & Services94108100
Groceries97102100
Health care101103100
Housing67145100
Transportation95105100
Utilities94100100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Tonawanda, NY

Knowing the cost of living in Tonawanda 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 Tonawanda stands at 87, marking it 13% lower than the national average.

Is Tonawanda Affordable?

Is Tonawanda 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 Tonawanda, the median home price is 35.5% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 26.6% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Tonawanda boasting a median household income of $51,486, 6.9% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Tonawanda?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

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.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Tonawanda, the transportation index is 5.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Tonawanda 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. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Tonawanda is 26% lower than the New York average
  • The cost of living in Tonawanda is 13% lower than the national average
  • Tonawanda housing is 33% lower than the national average
  • New York general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • New York state income tax is 54% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Tonawanda

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Compare Tonawanda, NY 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$63,304$5,275$1,477$1,899
      Renters$28,409$2,367$663$852

      New York Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New York 4% 8.875%

      New York Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New York 4% 10.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Tonawanda National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.65$24.2610.8%
      Beauty Salon $53.07$45.5616.5%
      Toothpaste $3.61$3.702.5%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.281.8%
      Movie $12.76$12.135.2%
      Bowling $14.60$18.0018.9%

      Groceries

      Item Tonawanda National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.16$5.845.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.67$4.670.0%
      Potatoes $5.26$4.936.5%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $10.47$10.410.6%

      Health Care

      Item Tonawanda National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $75.93$125.6839.6%
      Doctor $103.92$135.7823.5%
      Dentist $149.67$113.2932.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.42$10.652.2%
      Lipitor $464.18$468.600.9%

      Housing

      Item Tonawanda National avg. Difference
      Home Price $119,100.00$184,700.0035.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,421.64$2,346.693.2%
      Apartment Rent $697.00$949.0026.6%

      Transportation

      Item Tonawanda National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.46$3.460.1%
      Tire Balancing $48.79$59.9218.6%

      Utilities

      Item Tonawanda National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $173.44$193.9910.6%
      Phone $195.54$192.251.7%
      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.
      South Lockport, NY8,3448020.4%
      Niagara Falls, NY47,9788218.5%
      Sloan, NY3,5478316.8%
      Tonawanda city, NY14,9918416.5%
      Lockport, NY20,4208415.7%
      Tonawanda, NY14,7908713.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Great Falls, VA14,793230129.7%
      Sooke, BC14,780n/a 
      El Sobrante, CA14,77915756.9%
      Fort Leonard Wood, MO14,7791022.1%
      Strathmore, AB14,778n/a 
      Tonawanda, NY14,7908713.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.