Cost of Living in Palm Coast, FL

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An Overview of Cost of Living in Palm Coast, FL

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Palm Coast is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Palm Coast is 107, which is 7% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

The cost of living in Palm Coast 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. Palm Coast 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.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Palm Coast 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 29.1% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Palm Coast Affordable?

Is Palm Coast 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 Palm Coast, the median home price is 22.4% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 44.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Palm Coast boasting a median household income of $57,872, 4.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Palm Coast?

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Palm Coast, the housing index stands at 29.1% higher than the national average.

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 Palm Coast, the utilities index registers at 0.5% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Palm Coast, the transportation index stands at 2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Palm Coast 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.

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Palm Coast

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Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Palm Coast 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. Palm Coast has a median income of about $62,464 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,457 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $46,490. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,085 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

Florida Sales Tax

Florida Income Tax

Goods & Services

Groceries

Health Care

Housing

Transportation

Utilities

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.

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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.