C-
18%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
64%
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 North Decatur Georgia National
Cost of living11893100
Goods & Services10097100
Groceries10198100
Health care109100100
Housing16486100
Transportation9994100
Utilities8186100

An Overview of Cost of Living in North Decatur, GA

Understanding the cost of living in North Decatur 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 North Decatur cost of living index is 118, which is 18% higher 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.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the North Decatur 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 63.9% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is North Decatur Affordable?

Wondering if North Decatur 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 North Decatur, for example, the median home price is 79% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 28.8% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with North Decatur boasting a median household income of $84,386, which is 52.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in North Decatur?

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 North Decatur, the groceries index is 1.3% 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 North Decatur, the utilities index stands at 18.9% 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.

Where is the Data From?

The North Decatur 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. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates 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 North Decatur is 27% higher than the Georgia average
  • The cost of living in North Decatur is 18% higher than the national average
  • North Decatur housing is 64% higher than the national average
  • Georgia general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Georgia state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around North Decatur

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Compare North Decatur, GA 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$121,977$10,165$2,846$3,660
      Renters$50,919$4,243$1,188$1,528
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in North Decatur, GA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in North Decatur have a median income of $121,977. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,846 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $50,919, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,188.

      Georgia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Georgia 4% 8%

      Georgia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Georgia 1% 5.57%

      Goods & Services

      Item North Decatur National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.25$24.2612.3%
      Beauty Salon $56.36$45.5623.7%
      Toothpaste $3.74$3.700.9%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.283.9%
      Movie $15.20$12.1325.3%
      Bowling $20.98$18.0016.5%

      Groceries

      Item North Decatur National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.25$5.8410.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.1%
      Milk $4.69$4.670.4%
      Potatoes $5.32$4.937.9%
      Pizza $11.36$12.096.0%
      Beer $10.39$10.410.2%

      Health Care

      Item North Decatur National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.73$125.683.2%
      Doctor $128.57$135.785.3%
      Dentist $144.73$113.2927.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.74$10.650.8%
      Lipitor $495.22$468.605.7%

      Housing

      Item North Decatur National avg. Difference
      Home Price $330,600.00$184,700.0079.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,292.55$2,346.692.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,222.00$949.0028.8%

      Transportation

      Item North Decatur National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.5%
      Tire Balancing $69.77$59.9216.4%

      Utilities

      Item North Decatur National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $134.81$193.9930.5%
      Phone $191.28$192.250.5%
      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.
      Lakeview Estates, GA2,5467821.9%
      Forest Park, GA19,8848514.6%
      Conley, GA6,6458713.3%
      Lake City, GA2,7949010.3%
      Lithonia, GA2,4889010.0%
      North Decatur, GA15,83311817.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Long Beach, MS15,829964.4%
      New Territory, TX15,84311413.6%
      Spanish Springs, NV15,82013433.6%
      Humble, TX15,819936.8%
      Los Lunas, NM15,814982.1%
      North Decatur, GA15,83311817.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.