A+
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
23%
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 Vandalia Ohio National
Cost of living9392100
Goods & Services100100100
Groceries101101100
Health care10798100
Housing7773100
Transportation95100100
Utilities10299100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Vandalia, OH

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Vandalia is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Vandalia is 93, which is 7% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

The cost of living in Vandalia aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Vandalia residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Is Vandalia Affordable?

Is Vandalia 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 Vandalia, the median home price is 22.4% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 24.7% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Vandalia boasting a median household income of $61,827, 11.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Vandalia?

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Vandalia, the standard sales tax rate starts at 5.75%, and the income tax rates commence 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 Vandalia comes in at 1.8% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Vandalia, healthcare costs are 6.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Vandalia 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Vandalia is 1% higher than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Vandalia is 7% lower than the national average
  • Vandalia housing is 23% lower than the national average
  • Ohio general sales tax is 13% higher than the national average
  • Ohio state income tax is 6% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Vandalia

See all the best places to live around Vandalia

Compare Vandalia, OH 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$86,115$7,176$2,009$2,584
      Renters$44,646$3,721$1,042$1,340
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Vandalia, OH, 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 Vandalia, homeowners have a median income of $86,115. Using that number, a maximum of $2,009 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $44,646, which means there is a maximum of $1,042 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Ohio Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Ohio 5.75% 8%

      Ohio Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Ohio 2.76% 3.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Vandalia National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.00$24.2613.4%
      Beauty Salon $43.31$45.564.9%
      Toothpaste $3.57$3.703.5%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.281.5%
      Movie $12.84$12.135.8%
      Bowling $16.32$18.009.3%

      Groceries

      Item Vandalia National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.04$5.843.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.69$1.577.2%
      Milk $4.78$4.672.2%
      Potatoes $5.19$4.935.1%
      Pizza $13.11$12.098.5%
      Beer $10.57$10.411.6%

      Health Care

      Item Vandalia National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $108.50$125.6813.7%
      Doctor $152.25$135.7812.1%
      Dentist $122.07$113.297.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.62$10.650.3%
      Lipitor $511.48$468.609.2%

      Housing

      Item Vandalia National avg. Difference
      Home Price $143,400.00$184,700.0022.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,810.14$2,346.6922.9%
      Apartment Rent $715.00$949.0024.7%

      Transportation

      Item Vandalia National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.24$3.466.3%
      Tire Balancing $58.06$59.923.1%

      Utilities

      Item Vandalia National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $202.76$193.994.5%
      Phone $186.57$192.253.0%
      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.
      Drexel, OH2,3208218.4%
      Highland Holiday, OH6778218.0%
      Dayton, OH140,4448515.2%
      Trotwood, OH24,4108614.1%
      Casstown, OH2098613.9%
      Vandalia, OH15,021936.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Belvedere Park, GA15,0281000.1%
      Hugo, MN15,00811111.4%
      Stone Ridge, VA15,03415655.7%
      Williamsburg, VA15,03411919.4%
      West Haven, UT15,00312020.5%
      Vandalia, OH15,021936.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.