A+
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
13%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
14%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Temple Texas National
Cost of living8992100
Goods & Services8796100
Groceries9395100
Health care8597100
Housing8683100
Transportation8992100
Utilities102102100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Temple, TX

Understanding the cost of living in Temple 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 Temple cost of living index is 89, which is 11% 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.

Everyday staples like clothes, toiletries and entertainment expenses play a big role in your total living costs. But in Temple, these goods are 13% cheaper than the national average. So, you can enjoy what you need and love without emptying your wallet. Plus, you'll have more cash to put towards your savings or any other money goals you have, which is a real boost for your financial well-being.

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

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 10 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Temple. The feedback revealed that 30% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 70% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Temple Affordable?

Is Temple 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 Temple, the median home price is 17.8% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 4.5% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Temple come in at $79,785, which is 1.9% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Temple?

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 Temple, healthcare costs are 14.9% lower than the national average.

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 Temple, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and income tax rates begin at 0%.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Temple comes in at 1.9% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Temple, 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.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Temple is 3% lower than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Temple is 11% lower than the national average
  • Temple housing is 14% 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 Temple

See all the best places to live around Temple

Compare Temple, TX Cost of Living

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      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$110,179$9,182$2,571$3,306
      Renters$49,789$4,149$1,162$1,494
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Temple, TX, 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 Temple, homeowners have a median income of $110,179. Using that number, a maximum of $2,571 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $49,789, which means there is a maximum of $1,162 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Temple National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.94$27.622.5%
      Beauty Salon $52.54$51.112.8%
      Toothpaste $4.07$4.090.6%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.5413.7%
      Movie $9.15$12.8829.0%
      Yoga $16.47$19.6616.2%

      Groceries

      Item Temple National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.96$7.709.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.36$1.6618.2%
      Milk $4.58$4.733.2%
      Potatoes $5.35$5.261.8%
      Pizza $9.50$12.7625.6%
      Beer $10.66$10.551.0%

      Health Care

      Item Temple National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $133.53$140.064.7%
      Doctor $85.82$153.8244.2%
      Dentist $123.25$123.150.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.22$11.734.4%
      Lipitor $19.46$23.6117.6%

      Housing

      Item Temple National avg. Difference
      Home Price $268,553.00$326,622.0017.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,016.50$2,480.2518.7%
      Apartment Rent $1,379.00$1,444.004.5%

      Transportation

      Item Temple National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.70$3.0611.8%
      Tire Balancing $59.52$65.218.7%

      Utilities

      Item Temple National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $221.59$220.120.7%
      Phone $204.11$195.714.3%
      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.
      Rogers, TX1,4347821.7%
      Moody, TX1,5608020.4%
      Bruceville-Eddy, TX1,7368415.8%
      Troy, TX3,1098713.3%
      Holland, TX1,6148712.9%
      Temple, TX79,3168910.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Bloomington, IL79,438990.8%
      Airdrie, AB79,163n/a 
      Gastonia, NC79,485982.2%
      Upland, CA79,50515959.4%
      Cedar Park, TX79,54011818.2%
      Temple, TX79,3168910.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.