B
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
32%
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 Sugar Hill Georgia National
Cost of living10893100
Goods & Services10097100
Groceries10198100
Health care109100100
Housing13286100
Transportation9994100
Utilities8186100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Sugar Hill, GA

Understanding the cost of living in Sugar Hill 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 Sugar Hill cost of living index is 108, which is 8% 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.

The cost of living in Sugar Hill is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

When it comes to the cost of living in Sugar Hill, 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 32.3% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Sugar Hill Affordable?

Is Sugar Hill an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Sugar Hill, the median home price is 35% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 25.9% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Sugar Hill come in at $90,205, which is 63.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sugar Hill?

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Sugar Hill, the transportation index is 0.6% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Sugar Hill starts at 4% and the income tax rates start at 1%.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Sugar Hill, healthcare costs are 9.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Sugar Hill, 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 Sugar Hill is 17% higher than the Georgia average
  • The cost of living in Sugar Hill is 8% higher than the national average
  • Sugar Hill housing is 32% 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 Sugar Hill

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Compare Sugar Hill, 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$94,712$7,893$2,210$2,842
      Renters$61,050$5,088$1,424$1,832
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Sugar Hill is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Sugar Hill has a median income of about $94,712 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,210 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $61,050. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,424 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Sugar Hill National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.25$24.2612.3%
      Beauty Salon $56.36$45.5623.7%
      Toothpaste $3.74$3.700.9%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.283.9%
      Movie $15.20$12.1325.3%
      Bowling $20.98$18.0016.5%

      Groceries

      Item Sugar Hill National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.25$5.8410.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.1%
      Milk $4.69$4.670.4%
      Potatoes $5.32$4.937.9%
      Pizza $11.36$12.096.0%
      Beer $10.39$10.410.2%

      Health Care

      Item Sugar Hill National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.73$125.683.2%
      Doctor $128.57$135.785.3%
      Dentist $144.73$113.2927.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.74$10.650.8%
      Lipitor $495.22$468.605.7%

      Housing

      Item Sugar Hill National avg. Difference
      Home Price $249,300.00$184,700.0035.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,292.55$2,346.692.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,195.00$949.0025.9%

      Transportation

      Item Sugar Hill National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.5%
      Tire Balancing $69.77$59.9216.4%

      Utilities

      Item Sugar Hill National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $134.81$193.9930.5%
      Phone $191.28$192.250.5%
      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.
      Rest Haven, GA438713.1%
      Auburn, GA7,519937.3%
      Oakwood, GA4,191946.1%
      Lawrenceville, GA30,1251000.3%
      Dacula, GA6,175991.4%
      Sugar Hill, GA23,9941088.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Dix Hills, NY23,99518888.1%
      Auburn Hills, MI23,9841011.1%
      Wekiwa Springs, FL24,00811919.3%
      South Plainfield, NJ23,96113131.4%
      Camas, WA24,04314039.6%
      Sugar Hill, GA23,9941088.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.