A+
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
3%
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 Dickinson Texas National
Cost of living9892100
Goods & Services10196100
Groceries10096100
Health care9494100
Housing9783100
Transportation9092100
Utilities103104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Dickinson, TX

The cost of living in Dickinson affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Dickinson is 98, which is 2% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

In Dickinson, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Dickinson will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Dickinson Affordable?

Is Dickinson 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 Dickinson, for instance, where the median home price falls 8.1% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 10.5% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Dickinson flaunting a median household income of $70,468, 27.4% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Dickinson?

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Dickinson, the housing index comes in at 2.5% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Dickinson, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and income tax rates kick off at 0%.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Dickinson, the transportation index is 9.6% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Dickinson 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. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Dickinson is 7% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Dickinson is 2% lower than the national average
  • Dickinson housing is 3% 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 Dickinson

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Compare Dickinson, TX 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$85,940$7,162$2,005$2,578
      Renters$37,788$3,149$882$1,134
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Dickinson 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. Dickinson has a median income of about $85,940 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,005 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $37,788. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $882 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Dickinson National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.33$24.2616.2%
      Beauty Salon $47.38$45.564.0%
      Toothpaste $3.48$3.706.1%
      Shampoo $1.22$1.285.0%
      Movie $12.19$12.130.4%
      Bowling $15.83$18.0012.0%

      Groceries

      Item Dickinson National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.25$5.8410.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.4%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $5.00$4.931.4%
      Pizza $11.82$12.092.2%
      Beer $10.38$10.410.3%

      Health Care

      Item Dickinson National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $125.98$125.680.2%
      Doctor $90.89$135.7833.1%
      Dentist $108.10$113.294.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.46$10.651.8%
      Lipitor $503.40$468.607.4%

      Housing

      Item Dickinson National avg. Difference
      Home Price $169,700.00$184,700.008.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,055.86$2,346.6912.4%
      Apartment Rent $1,049.00$949.0010.5%

      Transportation

      Item Dickinson National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.14$3.469.1%
      Tire Balancing $56.62$59.925.5%

      Utilities

      Item Dickinson National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $233.43$193.9920.3%
      Phone $208.71$192.258.6%
      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.
      Liverpool, TX5228613.9%
      South Houston, TX17,522919.1%
      La Marque, TX16,983918.9%
      Hitchcock, TX7,831918.7%
      Texas City, TX49,468946.3%
      Dickinson, TX20,870981.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Beaconsfield, QC20,868n/a 
      Green Valley, AZ20,8571054.9%
      South Milwaukee, WI20,857982.1%
      Hays, KS20,855927.6%
      Stephenville, TX20,887954.6%
      Dickinson, TX20,870981.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.