C+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
32%
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 Mechanicsville Virginia National
Cost of living110109100
Goods & Services100100100
Groceries101101100
Health care9699100
Housing132130100
Transportation10095100
Utilities105104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Mechanicsville, VA

Knowing the cost of living in Mechanicsville 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 Mechanicsville stands at 110, marking it 10% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Mechanicsville closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Mechanicsville can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Mechanicsville cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 31.7% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Mechanicsville Affordable?

Is Mechanicsville 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 Mechanicsville is 31.8% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 31.6% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Mechanicsville has a median household income of $77,291, which is 39.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Mechanicsville?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Mechanicsville, healthcare costs are 4.4% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Mechanicsville, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 5.3%, and income tax rates kick off at 2%.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Mechanicsville, the utilities index registers at 4.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Mechanicsville 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 Mechanicsville is 1% higher than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Mechanicsville is 10% higher than the national average
  • Mechanicsville housing is 32% higher than the national average
  • Virginia general sales tax is 4% higher than the national average
  • Virginia state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Mechanicsville

See all the best places to live around Mechanicsville

Compare Mechanicsville, VA 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$88,442$7,370$2,064$2,654
      Renters$51,034$4,253$1,191$1,531
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Mechanicsville, VA, 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 Mechanicsville homeowners, is $88,442. This would allow for a maximum of $2,064 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $51,034 which would result in a maximum of $1,191 to be spent on rental costs.

      Virginia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Virginia 5.3% 6%

      Virginia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Virginia 2% 5.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Mechanicsville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.00$24.2617.6%
      Beauty Salon $54.17$45.5618.9%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.5%
      Shampoo $1.26$1.281.3%
      Movie $13.31$12.139.7%
      Bowling $24.17$18.0034.3%

      Groceries

      Item Mechanicsville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.54$5.845.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.44$1.578.5%
      Milk $4.63$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $5.27$4.936.8%
      Pizza $12.72$12.095.3%
      Beer $10.64$10.412.2%

      Health Care

      Item Mechanicsville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $95.44$125.6824.1%
      Doctor $122.83$135.789.5%
      Dentist $109.67$113.293.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.76$10.651.0%
      Lipitor $489.65$468.604.5%

      Housing

      Item Mechanicsville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $243,400.00$184,700.0031.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,083.79$2,346.6911.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,249.00$949.0031.6%

      Transportation

      Item Mechanicsville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.27$3.465.5%
      Tire Balancing $60.00$59.920.1%

      Utilities

      Item Mechanicsville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $227.22$193.9917.1%
      Phone $185.33$192.253.6%
      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.
      Montrose, VA7,639946.2%
      Bensley, VA6,044964.0%
      Bellwood, VA7,808973.1%
      Sandston, VA6,833972.7%
      Highland Springs, VA15,000982.0%
      Mechanicsville, VA37,14111010.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Aventura, FL37,15113130.6%
      Richmond West, FL37,12313131.0%
      Cottage Grove, MN37,12011111.3%
      Greenfield, WI37,1171010.9%
      Côte-Saint-Luc, QC37,097n/a 
      Mechanicsville, VA37,14111010.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.