A-
22%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
73%
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 Laurel Florida National
Cost of living12298100
Goods & Services10098100
Groceries10199100
Health care10396100
Housing17396100
Transportation9799100
Utilities10097100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Laurel, FL

Knowing the cost of living in Laurel 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 Laurel stands at 122, marking it 22% higher than the national average.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Laurel may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Laurel falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Laurel cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 73% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Laurel Affordable?

Is Laurel affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Laurel, for instance, where the median home price falls 79.8% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 57.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Laurel flaunting a median household income of $65,882, 19.1% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Laurel?

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 Laurel, healthcare costs are 2.6% 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.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Laurel, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 0%.

Where is the Data From?

The Laurel 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Laurel is 25% higher than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in Laurel is 22% higher than the national average
  • Laurel housing is 73% higher 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 Laurel

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Compare Laurel, 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$68,969$5,747$1,609$2,069
      Renters$49,408$4,117$1,153$1,482
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Laurel, FL, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Laurel homeowners, is $68,969. This would allow for a maximum of $1,609 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $49,408 which would result in a maximum of $1,153 to be spent on rental costs.

      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 Laurel National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.28$24.268.3%
      Beauty Salon $41.57$45.568.8%
      Toothpaste $3.67$3.701.0%
      Shampoo $1.36$1.286.5%
      Movie $13.08$12.137.8%
      Bowling $16.72$18.007.1%

      Groceries

      Item Laurel National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.02$5.8414.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.48$1.576.0%
      Milk $4.54$4.672.8%
      Potatoes $5.47$4.9310.9%
      Pizza $10.96$12.099.3%
      Beer $10.58$10.411.6%

      Health Care

      Item Laurel National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $104.04$125.6817.2%
      Doctor $122.85$135.789.5%
      Dentist $112.75$113.290.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.35$10.652.9%
      Lipitor $447.95$468.604.4%

      Housing

      Item Laurel National avg. Difference
      Home Price $332,000.00$184,700.0079.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,781.84$2,346.6924.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,493.00$949.0057.3%

      Transportation

      Item Laurel National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.56$3.462.8%
      Tire Balancing $63.29$59.925.6%

      Utilities

      Item Laurel National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $149.04$193.9923.2%
      Phone $193.01$192.250.4%
      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.
      Warm Mineral Springs, FL5,267973.4%
      Gulf Gate Estates, FL10,676991.5%
      Nokomis, FL4,0841022.1%
      Englewood, FL19,3321043.8%
      Kensington Park, FL3,4921054.5%
      Laurel, FL12,15312222.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lewisburg, TN12,1508812.1%
      James Island, SC12,15712423.9%
      Lake City, FL12,1668811.8%
      Somerville, NJ12,13912727.2%
      Abbeville, LA12,1678416.0%
      Laurel, FL12,15312222.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.