B
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
26%
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 Pooler Georgia National
Cost of living10693100
Goods & Services9897100
Groceries10298100
Health care109100100
Housing12686100
Transportation9694100
Utilities9086100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Pooler, GA

Understanding the cost of living in Pooler 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 Pooler cost of living index is 106, which is 6% 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.

In Pooler, 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 Pooler will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Pooler, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 25.6% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is Pooler Affordable?

Wondering if Pooler 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 Pooler, for example, the median home price is 21% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 36.5% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Pooler boasting a median household income of $79,004, which is 42.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Pooler?

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Pooler, the groceries index is 2.3% higher than the national average.

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 Pooler, the housing index stands at 25.6% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Pooler 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 Pooler is 15% higher than the Georgia average
  • The cost of living in Pooler is 6% higher than the national average
  • Pooler housing is 26% 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 Pooler

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Compare Pooler, 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$88,549$7,379$2,066$2,657
      Renters$71,451$5,954$1,667$2,144
      The affordability of the housing market in Pooler, GA as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Pooler homeowners, the median income is $88,549. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $2,066 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $71,451. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,667 for their rent related monthly costs.

      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 Pooler National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.25$24.264.2%
      Beauty Salon $38.33$45.5615.9%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.281.8%
      Movie $12.10$12.130.3%
      Bowling $22.40$18.0024.4%

      Groceries

      Item Pooler National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.23$5.846.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.577.4%
      Milk $4.75$4.671.7%
      Potatoes $5.33$4.938.0%
      Pizza $14.38$12.0919.0%
      Beer $10.13$10.412.7%

      Health Care

      Item Pooler National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $93.17$125.6825.9%
      Doctor $135.16$135.780.5%
      Dentist $142.17$113.2925.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.63$10.650.2%
      Lipitor $518.07$468.6010.6%

      Housing

      Item Pooler National avg. Difference
      Home Price $223,500.00$184,700.0021.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,681.21$2,346.6928.4%
      Apartment Rent $1,295.00$949.0036.5%

      Transportation

      Item Pooler National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.33$3.463.6%
      Tire Balancing $57.68$59.923.7%

      Utilities

      Item Pooler National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $163.38$193.9915.8%
      Phone $188.43$192.252.0%
      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.
      Garden City, GA8,957928.1%
      Bloomingdale, GA2,801936.7%
      Savannah, GA145,492973.0%
      Rincon, GA10,187981.5%
      Georgetown, GA12,545990.6%
      Pooler, GA24,5751066.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Herndon, VA24,57714544.7%
      Palm River-Clair Mel, FL24,571945.8%
      Marysville, OH24,569990.6%
      Foothills No. 31, AB24,563n/a 
      Norton Shores, MI24,557928.0%
      Pooler, GA24,5751066.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.