An Overview of Cost of Living in Newcastle, OK
Understanding the cost of living in Newcastle can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Newcastle cost of living index is 97, which is 3% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
In Newcastle, 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 Newcastle will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Everyday staples like clothes, toiletries and entertainment expenses play a big role in your total living costs. But in Newcastle, these goods are 13.1% cheaper than the national average. So, you can enjoy what you need and love without emptying your wallet. Plus, you'll have more cash to put towards your savings or any other money goals you have, which is a real boost for your financial well-being.
Is Newcastle Affordable?
Is Newcastle affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Newcastle, the median home price is 18.1% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 17.1% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Newcastle boasting a median household income of $86,065, 55.6% higher than the national average.
What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Newcastle?
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 Newcastle, the groceries index is 6.8% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Newcastle, the utilities index is 3.4% lower than the national average.
Where is the Data From?
The Newcastle cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.