A-
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
47%
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 St. Augustine Florida National
Cost of living11098100
Goods & Services9598100
Groceries9999100
Health care8696100
Housing14796100
Transportation8799100
Utilities10197100

An Overview of Cost of Living in St. Augustine, FL

Understanding the cost of living in St. Augustine 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 St. Augustine cost of living index is 110, which is 10% 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.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the St. Augustine 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 47% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in St. Augustine?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 18 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in St. Augustine and this is how they responded. 22% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 78% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is St. Augustine Affordable?

Is St. Augustine 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 St. Augustine, the median home price is 59.5% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 17.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with St. Augustine boasting a median household income of $60,455, 9.3% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in St. Augustine?

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In St. Augustine, the transportation index is 12.7% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In St. Augustine, the healthcare costs are 14.5% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The St. Augustine 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 St. Augustine is 13% higher than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in St. Augustine is 10% higher than the national average
  • St. Augustine housing is 47% higher than the national average
  • Florida general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Florida state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around St. Augustine

See all the best places to live around St. Augustine

Compare St. Augustine, FL 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$76,131$6,344$1,776$2,284
      Renters$39,363$3,280$918$1,181
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in St. Augustine, FL, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for St. Augustine homeowners, is $76,131. This would allow for a maximum of $1,776 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $39,363 which would result in a maximum of $918 to be spent on rental costs.

      Florida Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Florida 6% 7.5%

      Florida Income Tax

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

      Goods & Services

      Item St. Augustine National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.91$24.2613.8%
      Beauty Salon $70.33$45.5654.4%
      Toothpaste $3.69$3.700.3%
      Shampoo $1.43$1.2811.7%
      Movie $12.86$12.136.0%
      Bowling $20.93$18.0016.3%

      Groceries

      Item St. Augustine National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.34$5.848.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.47$1.576.3%
      Milk $4.57$4.672.3%
      Potatoes $5.44$4.9310.3%
      Pizza $10.39$12.0914.0%
      Beer $11.31$10.418.6%

      Health Care

      Item St. Augustine National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $86.60$125.6831.1%
      Doctor $100.93$135.7825.7%
      Dentist $102.03$113.299.9%
      Ibuprofen $10.61$10.650.4%
      Lipitor $447.41$468.604.5%

      Housing

      Item St. Augustine National avg. Difference
      Home Price $294,600.00$184,700.0059.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,803.79$2,346.6923.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,118.00$949.0017.8%

      Transportation

      Item St. Augustine National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.44$3.460.5%
      Tire Balancing $34.43$59.9242.5%

      Utilities

      Item St. Augustine National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $193.67$193.990.2%
      Phone $194.82$192.251.3%
      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.
      Hastings, FL1,304909.6%
      St. Augustine South, FL4,9941055.0%
      St. Augustine Shores, FL9,8181066.3%
      World Golf Village, FL18,93711615.7%
      Villano Beach, FL2,82911616.0%
      St. Augustine, FL15,06511010.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Mastic, NY15,06812525.2%
      Depew, NY15,0698910.9%
      West Park, FL15,0521087.9%
      Hayden, ID15,04911615.9%
      Kenmore, NY15,081919.4%
      St. Augustine, FL15,06511010.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.