A+
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
8%
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 Huntsville Texas National
Cost of living9492100
Goods & Services9396100
Groceries9896100
Health care10094100
Housing9283100
Transportation8592100
Utilities103104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Huntsville, TX

Knowing the cost of living in Huntsville 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 Huntsville stands at 94, marking it 6% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Huntsville aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Huntsville residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

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

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 10 residents in Huntsville to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 40% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 60% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Huntsville Affordable?

Is Huntsville an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Huntsville, the median home price is 8.6% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 6.5% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Huntsville come in at $31,020, which is 43.9% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Huntsville?

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.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Huntsville, the groceries index is 2% lower than the national average.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Huntsville, the housing index comes in at 8% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Huntsville, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Huntsville is 2% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Huntsville is 6% lower than the national average
  • Huntsville housing is 8% lower than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Huntsville

See all the best places to live around Huntsville

Compare Huntsville, TX 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$57,176$4,765$1,334$1,715
      Renters$25,594$2,133$597$768
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Huntsville, TX, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Huntsville have a median income of $57,176. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,334 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $25,594, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $597.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

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

      Goods & Services

      Item Huntsville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.52$24.265.2%
      Beauty Salon $67.87$45.5648.9%
      Toothpaste $3.53$3.704.6%
      Shampoo $1.29$1.281.0%
      Movie $11.10$12.138.5%
      Bowling $23.53$18.0030.7%

      Groceries

      Item Huntsville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.65$5.843.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.1%
      Milk $4.70$4.670.7%
      Potatoes $4.99$4.931.1%
      Pizza $11.67$12.093.5%
      Beer $10.52$10.411.1%

      Health Care

      Item Huntsville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $120.70$125.684.0%
      Doctor $93.85$135.7830.9%
      Dentist $120.24$113.296.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.69$10.650.3%
      Lipitor $505.78$468.607.9%

      Housing

      Item Huntsville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $168,800.00$184,700.008.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,890.77$2,346.6919.4%
      Apartment Rent $887.00$949.006.5%

      Transportation

      Item Huntsville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.02$3.4612.8%
      Tire Balancing $58.88$59.921.7%

      Utilities

      Item Huntsville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $190.29$193.991.9%
      Phone $211.13$192.259.8%
      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.
      Oakhurst, TX175955.3%
      Riverside, TX4588713.4%
      New Waverly, TX9098811.9%
      Huntsville, TX41,664946.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Puyallup, WA41,66613333.2%
      Oakley, CA41,65615050.2%
      Westfield, IN41,65211211.5%
      La Quinta, CA41,65013939.2%
      Mableton, GA41,6471043.7%
      Huntsville, TX41,664946.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.