D-
23%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
74%
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 Poquoson Virginia National
Cost of living123109100
Goods & Services100100100
Groceries101101100
Health care9699100
Housing174130100
Transportation10095100
Utilities105104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Poquoson, VA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Poquoson? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Poquoson stands at 123, making it 23% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Poquoson may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Poquoson falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Poquoson, 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 74.2% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is Poquoson Affordable?

Is Poquoson 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 Poquoson, the median home price is 86.4% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 45.7% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Poquoson boasting a median household income of $100,696, 82% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Poquoson?

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Poquoson, healthcare costs are 4.4% lower than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Poquoson, the housing index is 74.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Poquoson, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Poquoson is 13% higher than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Poquoson is 23% higher than the national average
  • Poquoson housing is 74% 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 Poquoson

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Compare Poquoson, 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$111,786$9,316$2,608$3,354
      Renters$77,449$6,454$1,807$2,324
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Poquoson, VA, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Poquoson, homeowners have a median income of $111,786. Using that number, a maximum of $2,608 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $77,449, which means there is a maximum of $1,807 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Poquoson 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 Poquoson 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 Poquoson 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 Poquoson National avg. Difference
      Home Price $344,300.00$184,700.0086.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,083.79$2,346.6911.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,383.00$949.0045.7%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Poquoson 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.
      Benns Church, VA6421010.6%
      Hampton, VA135,1691022.5%
      Newport News, VA179,5821032.8%
      Gloucester Point, VA10,3731076.7%
      Smithfield, VA8,49211413.9%
      Poquoson, VA12,12112322.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kingsburg, CA12,11612322.5%
      Platteville, WI12,113937.1%
      Mackenzie County, AB12,113n/a 
      Lake Tapps, WA12,12914747.3%
      Sylacauga, AL12,1329010.1%
      Poquoson, VA12,12112322.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.