Cost of Living in Quincy, MA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Quincy, MA

Understanding the cost of living in Quincy 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 Quincy cost of living index is 151, which is 51% 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.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Quincy may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Quincy falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

When it comes to the cost of living in Quincy, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 124.2% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Quincy, you you will have to spend 21.6% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Quincy?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 7 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Quincy and this is how they responded. 0% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 100% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Quincy Affordable?

Is Quincy affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Quincy, for instance, where the median home price falls 145.3% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 74.8% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Quincy flaunting a median household income of $80,462, 45.4% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Quincy?

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.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Quincy, healthcare costs are 12.9% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Quincy 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.