A+
20%
Overall NAT. AVG.
13%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
45%
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 Rio Grande City Texas National
Cost of living8092100
Goods & Services8896100
Groceries9196100
Health care7694100
Housing5583100
Transportation9192100
Utilities106104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Rio Grande City, TX

Understanding the cost of living in Rio Grande City 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 Rio Grande City cost of living index is 80, which is 20% lower 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.

As per the most recent annual cost of living index, Rio Grande City stands out as one of the most economical places to call home in the entire country. A mere few cities can claim a cost of living index that is at least 20% less than the national average, and Rio Grande City proudly belongs to this select category. This emphasizes the extraordinary affordability of this locality when compared with other areas.

Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Rio Grande City are 45.3% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.

Everyday essentials such as clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment all contribute to your overall cost of living. The good news is that in Rio Grande City, these goods and services come in at 12.5% less than the national average. This means you can enjoy the things you need and love without breaking the bank. With such savings, you have the opportunity to allocate more funds towards your savings or other financial goals, ultimately enhancing your financial well-being.

Grocery prices are climbing, making it hard to find cities with affordable food options. However, in Rio Grande City, the grocery index is 8.6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly place to shop for groceries when compared to other cities across the country.

Is Rio Grande City Affordable?

Is Rio Grande City 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 Rio Grande City, the median home price is 50.5% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 33.2% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Rio Grande City boasting a median household income of $38,542, 30.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Rio Grande City?

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Rio Grande City, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and income tax rates begin at 0%.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Rio Grande City, the groceries index is 8.6% lower than the national average.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Rio Grande City, the housing index comes in at 45.3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Rio Grande City 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 Rio Grande City is 14% lower than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Rio Grande City is 20% lower than the national average
  • Rio Grande City housing is 45% lower than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Rio Grande City

See all the best places to live around Rio Grande City

Compare Rio Grande City, TX 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$41,047$3,421$958$1,232
      Renters$15,460$1,288$361$464
      The affordability of the housing market in Rio Grande City, TX 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 Rio Grande City homeowners, the median income is $41,047. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $958 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $15,460. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $361 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Texas 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Rio Grande City National avg. Difference
      Haircut $17.78$24.2626.7%
      Beauty Salon $30.94$45.5632.1%
      Toothpaste $3.40$3.708.2%
      Shampoo $1.05$1.2818.0%
      Movie $11.98$12.131.3%
      Bowling $20.00$18.0011.1%

      Groceries

      Item Rio Grande City National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.77$5.841.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.1%
      Milk $4.51$4.673.5%
      Potatoes $4.84$4.932.0%
      Pizza $11.29$12.096.6%
      Beer $10.29$10.411.2%

      Health Care

      Item Rio Grande City National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $115.00$125.688.5%
      Doctor $119.56$135.7811.9%
      Dentist $113.53$113.290.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.25$10.653.8%
      Lipitor $465.59$468.600.6%

      Housing

      Item Rio Grande City National avg. Difference
      Home Price $91,500.00$184,700.0050.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,864.04$2,346.6920.6%
      Apartment Rent $634.00$949.0033.2%

      Transportation

      Item Rio Grande City National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.16$3.468.7%
      Tire Balancing $54.06$59.929.8%

      Utilities

      Item Rio Grande City National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $221.71$193.9914.3%
      Phone $208.71$192.258.6%
      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.
      Santel, TX12919.3%
      Elias-Fela Solis, TX0919.3%
      Narciso Pena, TX0919.3%
      Casas, TX6919.3%
      El Mesquite, TX0919.3%
      Rio Grande City, TX14,4118020.1%

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      Mont-Laurier, QC14,402n/a 
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      South Stormont, ON14,401n/a 
      Hartselle, AL14,4218910.8%
      Sterling, CO14,421937.1%
      Rio Grande City, TX14,4118020.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.