A+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
25%
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 Phenix City Alabama National
Cost of living9188100
Goods & Services9996100
Groceries9696100
Health care13387100
Housing7572100
Transportation9291100
Utilities86102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Phenix City, AL

The cost of living in Phenix City 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 Phenix City is 91, which is 9% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Phenix City 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. Phenix City 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.

Is Phenix City Affordable?

Wondering if Phenix City 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 Phenix City, for example, the median home price is 29.6% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 13.4% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Phenix City boasting a median household income of $41,842, which is 24.4% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Phenix City?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Phenix City, healthcare costs are 33.3% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Phenix City, the groceries index is 4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Phenix City 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 Phenix City is 3% higher than the Alabama average
  • The cost of living in Phenix City is 9% lower than the national average
  • Phenix City housing is 25% 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 Phenix City

See all the best places to live around Phenix City

Compare Phenix City, AL 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$55,458$4,622$1,294$1,664
      Renters$28,160$2,347$657$845
      The affordability of the housing market in Phenix City, AL as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Phenix City homeowners, the median income is $55,458. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,294 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $28,160. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $657 for their rent related monthly costs.

      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 Phenix City National avg. Difference
      Haircut $17.00$24.2629.9%
      Beauty Salon $36.53$45.5619.8%
      Toothpaste $3.64$3.701.7%
      Shampoo $1.31$1.282.0%
      Movie $11.49$12.135.3%
      Bowling $14.00$18.0022.2%

      Groceries

      Item Phenix City National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.16$5.845.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.44$1.578.2%
      Milk $4.61$4.671.3%
      Potatoes $5.31$4.937.5%
      Pizza $11.32$12.096.3%
      Beer $10.19$10.412.2%

      Health Care

      Item Phenix City National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $91.67$125.6827.1%
      Doctor $116.11$135.7814.5%
      Dentist $95.33$113.2915.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.19$10.654.3%
      Lipitor $412.38$468.6012.0%

      Housing

      Item Phenix City National avg. Difference
      Home Price $130,100.00$184,700.0029.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,593.02$2,346.6932.1%
      Apartment Rent $822.00$949.0013.4%

      Transportation

      Item Phenix City National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.22$3.467.0%
      Tire Balancing $34.00$59.9243.3%

      Utilities

      Item Phenix City National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $172.47$193.9911.1%
      Phone $188.97$192.251.7%
      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.
      Cusseta-Chattahoochee County, GA10,4708811.7%
      Ladonia, AL3,6098910.8%
      Columbus, GA195,418936.7%
      Smiths Station, AL5,821945.8%
      Phenix City, AL36,461919.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kearns, UT36,45711110.7%
      Oakton, VA36,46816666.1%
      Trumbull, CT36,47713838.5%
      Moorpark, CA36,44317676.0%
      Dunedin, FL36,4801033.0%
      Phenix City, AL36,461919.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.