An Overview of Cost of Living in Brookhaven, GA
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Brookhaven is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Brookhaven is 142, which is 42% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The cost of living in Brookhaven is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Brookhaven falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs significantly influence the Brookhaven cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 144.5%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Is Brookhaven Affordable?
Wondering if Brookhaven is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Brookhaven, for example, the median home price is 184.1% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 52.2% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Brookhaven boasting a median household income of $101,607, which is 83.7% higher than the national average.
What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Brookhaven?
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Brookhaven, the utilities index stands at 18.9% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Brookhaven, the groceries index is 1.3% higher than the national average.
Where is the Data From?
The Brookhaven 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.