A
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
27%
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 Doraville Georgia National
Cost of living10793100
Goods & Services10097100
Groceries10198100
Health care109100100
Housing12786100
Transportation9994100
Utilities8186100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Doraville, GA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Doraville 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 Doraville is 107, which is 7% higher 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 Doraville 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.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Doraville cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 27.1% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Doraville Affordable?

Wondering if Doraville is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Doraville, for example, the median home price is 25% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 32.2% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Doraville boasting a median household income of $61,007, which is 10.3% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Doraville?

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Doraville, the transportation index stands at 0.6% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Doraville, the groceries index is 1.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Doraville displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Doraville is 15% higher than the Georgia average
  • The cost of living in Doraville is 7% higher than the national average
  • Doraville housing is 27% higher than the national average
  • Georgia general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Georgia state income tax is 56% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Doraville

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Compare Doraville, GA 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$70,593$5,883$1,647$2,118
      Renters$45,906$3,826$1,071$1,377
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Doraville, GA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Doraville have a median income of $70,593. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,647 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $45,906, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,071.

      Georgia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Georgia 4% 8%

      Georgia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Georgia 1% 5.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Doraville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.25$24.2612.3%
      Beauty Salon $56.36$45.5623.7%
      Toothpaste $3.74$3.700.9%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.283.9%
      Movie $15.20$12.1325.3%
      Bowling $20.98$18.0016.5%

      Groceries

      Item Doraville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.25$5.8410.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.1%
      Milk $4.69$4.670.4%
      Potatoes $5.32$4.937.9%
      Pizza $11.36$12.096.0%
      Beer $10.39$10.410.2%

      Health Care

      Item Doraville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.73$125.683.2%
      Doctor $128.57$135.785.3%
      Dentist $144.73$113.2927.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.74$10.650.8%
      Lipitor $495.22$468.605.7%

      Housing

      Item Doraville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $230,800.00$184,700.0025.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,292.55$2,346.692.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,255.00$949.0032.2%

      Transportation

      Item Doraville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.5%
      Tire Balancing $69.77$59.9216.4%

      Utilities

      Item Doraville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $134.81$193.9930.5%
      Phone $191.28$192.250.5%
      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.
      Lakeview Estates, GA2,5467821.9%
      Lithonia, GA2,4889010.0%
      Panthersville, GA10,164928.3%
      Stone Mountain, GA6,376946.5%
      Redan, GA34,870945.7%
      Doraville, GA10,2441076.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Sumner, WA10,24613333.5%
      Belle Chasse, LA10,24111312.5%
      Canandaigua, NY10,241991.3%
      London, OH10,241919.4%
      Shelburne, ON10,249n/a 
      Doraville, GA10,2441076.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.