Cost of Living in Belton, TX

An Overview of Cost of Living in Belton, TX

Knowing the cost of living in Belton 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 Belton stands at 93, marking it 7% lower than the national average.

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

Everyday necessities such as clothing, personal hygiene products and recreational activities collectively contribute to the overall cost of living. The favorable news is that in Belton, these essential goods and services are priced 10.3% below the national average. This translates to the ability to procure essential items and indulge in leisure activities without depleting one's financial resources excessively. With the resulting savings, individuals have the opportunity to allocate additional funds towards their savings or other financial objectives.

Grocery prices are climbing, making it hard to find cities with affordable food options. However, in Belton, the grocery index is 8.7% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly place to shop for groceries when compared to other cities across the country.

Is Belton Affordable?

Is Belton affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Belton, for instance, where the median home price falls 12.7% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 1.9% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Belton flaunting a median household income of $49,617, 10.3% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Belton?

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Belton, the transportation index is 10.1% lower than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Belton, the housing index is 8.3% lower than the national average.

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.

Where is the Data From?

The Belton 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.