An Overview of Cost of Living in Coos Bay, OR
Knowing the cost of living in Coos Bay allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Coos Bay stands at 103, marking it 3% higher than the national average.
The cost of living in Coos Bay 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. Coos Bay 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.
What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Coos Bay?
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 16 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Coos Bay. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 44% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 56% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Coos Bay Affordable?
Is Coos Bay affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Coos Bay, for instance, where the median home price falls 8.8% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 10.9% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Coos Bay flaunting a median household income of $49,478, 10.6% lower than the national norm.
What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Coos Bay?
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 Coos Bay, the standard sales tax rate starts at 0%, and the income tax rates commence at 4.75%.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
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 Coos Bay, the utilities index stands at 4.4% lower than the national average.
Where is the Data From?
The cost of living in Coos Bay, 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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