B
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
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 Margaret Alabama National
Cost of living9288100
Goods & Services9896100
Groceries9796100
Health care9487100
Housing7772100
Transportation9191100
Utilities108102100
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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Margaret is 4% higher than the Alabama average
  • The cost of living in Margaret is 8% lower than the national average
  • Margaret housing is 23% lower than the national average
  • Alabama general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Alabama state income tax is 11% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Margaret

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Compare Margaret, AL Cost of Living

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      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$61,509$5,126$1,435$1,845
      Renters$41,996$3,500$980$1,260
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Margaret 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. Margaret has a median income of about $61,509 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,435 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $41,996. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $980 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Alabama Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Alabama 4% 13.5%

      Alabama Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Alabama 2% 5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Margaret National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.07$24.2617.3%
      Beauty Salon $45.74$45.560.4%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.6%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.284.1%
      Movie $12.54$12.133.3%
      Bowling $16.37$18.009.1%

      Groceries

      Item Margaret National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.01$5.843.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.66$1.575.5%
      Milk $4.54$4.672.9%
      Potatoes $5.23$4.936.0%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $10.40$10.410.1%

      Health Care

      Item Margaret National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $92.33$125.6826.5%
      Doctor $101.83$135.7825.0%
      Dentist $125.78$113.2911.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.28$10.653.5%
      Lipitor $460.79$468.601.7%

      Housing

      Item Margaret National avg. Difference
      Home Price $159,600.00$184,700.0013.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,935.73$2,346.6917.5%
      Apartment Rent $535.00$949.0043.6%

      Transportation

      Item Margaret National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.13$3.469.7%
      Tire Balancing $54.52$59.929.0%

      Utilities

      Item Margaret National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $219.40$193.9913.1%
      Phone $188.55$192.251.9%
      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.
      County Line, AL2978614.2%
      Center Point, AL15,9718812.0%
      Grayson Valley, AL5,808909.9%
      Vandiver, AL914909.6%
      Odenville, AL3,705918.9%
      Margaret, AL4,905928.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Salem, MO4,9047920.7%
      Pleasant Garden, NC4,906936.7%
      Winona Lake, IN4,902954.9%
      East Moriches, NY4,90214646.1%
      Kneehill County, AB4,902n/a 
      Margaret, AL4,905928.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.