A+
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
26%
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 Valdosta Georgia National
Cost of living8993100
Goods & Services9797100
Groceries9698100
Health care98100100
Housing7486100
Transportation9394100
Utilities9086100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Valdosta, GA

The cost of living in Valdosta affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Valdosta is 89, which is 11% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Valdosta?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 9 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Valdosta. The results indicated that 56% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 44% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Valdosta Affordable?

Is Valdosta 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 Valdosta is 29.7% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 17% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Valdosta has a median household income of $33,583, which is 39.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Valdosta?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Valdosta, healthcare costs are 1.7% lower than the national average.

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 Valdosta, the general sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates begin at 1%.

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.

Where is the Data From?

The Valdosta 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 Valdosta is 4% lower than the Georgia average
  • The cost of living in Valdosta is 11% lower than the national average
  • Valdosta housing is 26% lower than the national average
  • Georgia general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Georgia state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Valdosta

See all the best places to live around Valdosta

Compare Valdosta, GA 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$58,137$4,845$1,356$1,744
      Renters$24,749$2,062$577$743
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Valdosta, GA, 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 Valdosta, the median monthly income is $58,137 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,356 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $24,749, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $577 on monthly rental expenses.

      Georgia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Georgia 4% 8%

      Georgia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Georgia 1% 5.57%

      Goods & Services

      Item Valdosta National avg. Difference
      Haircut $19.97$24.2617.7%
      Beauty Salon $52.72$45.5615.7%
      Toothpaste $3.70$3.700.0%
      Shampoo $1.01$1.2820.9%
      Movie $12.00$12.131.1%
      Bowling $10.00$18.0044.4%

      Groceries

      Item Valdosta National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.00$5.842.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.43$1.579.3%
      Milk $4.49$4.673.9%
      Potatoes $5.52$4.9311.9%
      Pizza $12.16$12.090.6%
      Beer $9.84$10.415.5%

      Health Care

      Item Valdosta National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $120.50$125.684.1%
      Doctor $118.67$135.7812.6%
      Dentist $115.95$113.292.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.04$10.655.8%
      Lipitor $530.12$468.6013.1%

      Housing

      Item Valdosta National avg. Difference
      Home Price $129,800.00$184,700.0029.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,961.97$2,346.6916.4%
      Apartment Rent $788.00$949.0017.0%

      Transportation

      Item Valdosta National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.28$3.465.3%
      Tire Balancing $53.83$59.9210.2%

      Utilities

      Item Valdosta National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $164.25$193.9915.3%
      Phone $190.47$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.
      Morven, GA8827623.8%
      Cecil, GA2888317.5%
      Lakeland, GA3,3038515.1%
      Dasher, GA1,0719010.4%
      Hahira, GA2,989919.2%
      Valdosta, GA56,3208911.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Smyrna, GA56,33311616.2%
      Euless, TX56,3341098.9%
      Fountain Valley, CA56,11818685.7%
      Tinley Park, IL56,0821109.7%
      Grand Forks, ND56,588991.3%
      Valdosta, GA56,3208911.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.