A+
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
21%
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 East Ridge Tennessee National
Cost of living8889100
Goods & Services9094100
Groceries9798100
Health care9288100
Housing7980100
Transportation8889100
Utilities9393100

An Overview of Cost of Living in East Ridge, TN

The cost of living in East Ridge 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 East Ridge is 88, which is 12% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Is East Ridge Affordable?

Is East Ridge 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 East Ridge is 27.9% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 4% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. East Ridge has a median household income of $47,811, which is 13.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in East Ridge?

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In East Ridge, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7%, and the income tax rates commence at 0%.

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 East Ridge, the utilities index stands at 7.5% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In East Ridge, the transportation index is 11.9% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The East Ridge 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 East Ridge is 2% lower than the Tennessee average
  • The cost of living in East Ridge is 12% lower than the national average
  • East Ridge housing is 21% lower than the national average
  • Tennessee general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Tennessee state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around East Ridge

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Compare East Ridge, TN 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$54,167$4,514$1,264$1,625
      Renters$37,698$3,142$880$1,131
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in East Ridge, TN, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In East Ridge, homeowners have a median income of $54,167. Using that number, a maximum of $1,264 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $37,698, which means there is a maximum of $880 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Tennessee Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Tennessee 7% 9.75%

      Tennessee Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Tennessee 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item East Ridge National avg. Difference
      Haircut $18.80$24.2622.5%
      Beauty Salon $48.40$45.566.2%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.27$1.280.8%
      Movie $12.57$12.133.6%
      Bowling $16.47$18.008.5%

      Groceries

      Item East Ridge National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.63$5.843.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.43$1.578.9%
      Milk $4.49$4.673.9%
      Potatoes $5.17$4.934.8%
      Pizza $11.66$12.093.6%
      Beer $10.02$10.413.8%

      Health Care

      Item East Ridge National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $112.00$125.6810.9%
      Doctor $129.61$135.784.5%
      Dentist $96.50$113.2914.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.39$10.652.4%
      Lipitor $465.03$468.600.8%

      Housing

      Item East Ridge National avg. Difference
      Home Price $133,200.00$184,700.0027.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,008.10$2,346.6914.4%
      Apartment Rent $911.00$949.004.0%

      Transportation

      Item East Ridge National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.09$3.4610.6%
      Tire Balancing $50.87$59.9215.1%

      Utilities

      Item East Ridge National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $170.16$193.9912.3%
      Phone $192.18$192.250.0%
      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.
      Rossville, GA3,9898020.2%
      Lakeview, GA4,7618416.2%
      Fairview, GA5,9198415.6%
      Fort Oglethorpe, GA9,8778514.6%
      Powells Crossroads, TN1,7058614.4%
      East Ridge, TN21,1878812.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Esquimalt, BC21,191n/a 
      Sun Valley, NV21,1791022.1%
      Sapulpa, OK21,1708811.9%
      Sanford, ME21,1661065.5%
      Piqua, OH21,1598812.4%
      East Ridge, TN21,1878812.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.