Cost of Living in Kennesaw, GA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Kennesaw, GA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Kennesaw? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Kennesaw stands at 104, making it 4% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

In Kennesaw, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Kennesaw will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

When it comes to the cost of living in Kennesaw, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 24.4% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

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

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 5 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Kennesaw. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 20% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 80% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Kennesaw Affordable?

Is Kennesaw 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 Kennesaw is 16.8% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 41.9% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Kennesaw has a median household income of $72,972, which is 31.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Kennesaw?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Kennesaw, healthcare costs are 6% 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 Kennesaw, the transportation index is 4.2% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Kennesaw cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.