A-
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
13%
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 Lake Worth Florida National
Cost of living9898100
Goods & Services10598100
Groceries10499100
Health care9396100
Housing8796100
Transportation10199100
Utilities10397100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Lake Worth, FL

The cost of living in Lake Worth 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 Lake Worth is 98, which is 2% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Lake Worth 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. Lake Worth 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 Lake Worth?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 12 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Lake Worth. The feedback revealed that 50% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 50% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Lake Worth Affordable?

Wondering if Lake Worth 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 Lake Worth, for example, the median home price is 18% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 0.2% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Lake Worth boasting a median household income of $36,039, which is 34.9% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Lake Worth?

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 Lake Worth, the groceries index is 4.3% higher than the national average.

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 Lake Worth, the utilities index stands at 2.8% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Lake Worth, 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 Lake Worth is 1% higher than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in Lake Worth is 2% lower than the national average
  • Lake Worth housing is 13% lower than the national average
  • Florida general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Florida state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Lake Worth

See all the best places to live around Lake Worth

Compare Lake Worth, FL 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$56,192$4,683$1,311$1,686
      Renters$26,473$2,206$618$794
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Lake Worth is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Lake Worth has a median income of about $56,192 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,311 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $26,473. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $618 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Florida Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Florida 6% 7.5%

      Florida Income Tax

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

      Goods & Services

      Item Lake Worth National avg. Difference
      Haircut $22.18$24.268.6%
      Beauty Salon $73.78$45.5661.9%
      Toothpaste $3.50$3.705.6%
      Shampoo $1.49$1.2816.0%
      Movie $13.42$12.1310.6%
      Bowling $23.13$18.0028.5%

      Groceries

      Item Lake Worth National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.79$5.840.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.40$1.5711.2%
      Milk $4.58$4.672.0%
      Potatoes $5.27$4.936.8%
      Pizza $14.00$12.0915.8%
      Beer $11.23$10.417.9%

      Health Care

      Item Lake Worth National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $113.16$125.6810.0%
      Doctor $114.67$135.7815.5%
      Dentist $106.72$113.295.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.94$10.652.7%
      Lipitor $489.98$468.604.6%

      Housing

      Item Lake Worth National avg. Difference
      Home Price $151,500.00$184,700.0018.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,476.17$2,346.6948.1%
      Apartment Rent $951.00$949.000.2%

      Transportation

      Item Lake Worth National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.43$3.460.9%
      Tire Balancing $63.46$59.925.9%

      Utilities

      Item Lake Worth National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $200.94$193.993.6%
      Phone $194.37$192.251.1%
      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.
      Plantation Mobile Home Park, FL1,6538713.1%
      Mangonia Park, FL2,228973.0%
      San Castle, FL4,0611010.5%
      Royal Palm Estates, FL1,6151011.1%
      Westgate, FL10,0271021.6%
      Lake Worth, FL36,838981.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Winter Springs, FL36,85911110.5%
      Beloit, WI36,8048415.7%
      Commack, NY36,90315656.1%
      Lima, OH36,9088911.5%
      San Juan, TX36,7598118.9%
      Lake Worth, FL36,838981.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.