A-
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
1%
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 Colonial Heights Virginia National
Cost of living101109100
Goods & Services100100100
Groceries101101100
Health care9699100
Housing101130100
Transportation10095100
Utilities105104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Colonial Heights, VA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Colonial Heights? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Colonial Heights stands at 101, making it 1% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

The cost of living in Colonial Heights 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.

Is Colonial Heights Affordable?

Is Colonial Heights an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Colonial Heights is 3% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 9% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Colonial Heights has a median household income of $60,522, which is 9.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Colonial Heights?

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 Colonial Heights, healthcare costs are 4.4% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Colonial Heights, the utilities index stands at 4.8% higher 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 Colonial Heights starts at 5.3% and the income tax rates start at 2%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights is 8% lower than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Colonial Heights is 1% higher than the national average
  • Colonial Heights housing is 1% higher than the national average
  • Virginia general sales tax is 4% higher than the national average
  • Virginia state income tax is 11% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Colonial Heights

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Compare Colonial Heights, VA 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$77,723$6,477$1,813$2,332
      Renters$33,949$2,829$792$1,019
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Colonial Heights 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. Colonial Heights has a median income of about $77,723 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,813 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $33,949. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $792 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Virginia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Virginia 5.3% 6%

      Virginia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Virginia 2% 5.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Colonial Heights National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.00$24.2617.6%
      Beauty Salon $54.17$45.5618.9%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.5%
      Shampoo $1.26$1.281.3%
      Movie $13.31$12.139.7%
      Bowling $24.17$18.0034.3%

      Groceries

      Item Colonial Heights National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.54$5.845.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.44$1.578.5%
      Milk $4.63$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $5.27$4.936.8%
      Pizza $12.72$12.095.3%
      Beer $10.64$10.412.2%

      Health Care

      Item Colonial Heights National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $95.44$125.6824.1%
      Doctor $122.83$135.789.5%
      Dentist $109.67$113.293.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.76$10.651.0%
      Lipitor $489.65$468.604.5%

      Housing

      Item Colonial Heights National avg. Difference
      Home Price $179,200.00$184,700.003.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,083.79$2,346.6911.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,034.00$949.009.0%

      Transportation

      Item Colonial Heights National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.27$3.465.5%
      Tire Balancing $60.00$59.920.1%

      Utilities

      Item Colonial Heights National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $227.22$193.9917.1%
      Phone $185.33$192.253.6%
      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.
      Templeton, VA1181010.6%
      Camptown, VA7618911.1%
      Petersburg, VA30,791927.8%
      Hopewell, VA22,500946.5%
      Ettrick, VA5,024964.3%
      Colonial Heights, VA17,2831010.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lindenwold, NJ17,288973.3%
      Taylor, TX17,291946.4%
      Mattoon, IL17,2737723.3%
      Brenham, TX17,297946.5%
      Shorewood, IL17,30311818.3%
      Colonial Heights, VA17,2831010.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.