A+
0%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
7%
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 Pine Castle Florida National
Cost of living10098100
Goods & Services10198100
Groceries9899100
Health care9296100
Housing10796100
Transportation9599100
Utilities9097100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Pine Castle, FL

Knowing the cost of living in Pine Castle 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 Pine Castle stands at 100, marking it 0% equal to the national average.

The cost of living in Pine Castle closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Pine Castle can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Pine Castle Affordable?

Is Pine Castle an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Pine Castle, the median home price is 4.3% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 12.6% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Pine Castle come in at $41,800, which is 24.4% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Pine Castle?

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Pine Castle, the groceries index is 2.2% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Pine Castle, 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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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Pine Castle is 3% higher than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in Pine Castle is equal to the national average
  • Pine Castle housing is 7% higher than the national average
  • Florida general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Florida state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Pine Castle

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Compare Pine Castle, FL 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$51,808$4,317$1,209$1,554
      Renters$34,666$2,889$809$1,040
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Pine Castle 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. Pine Castle has a median income of about $51,808 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,209 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $34,666. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $809 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Florida Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Florida 6% 7.5%

      Florida Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Florida 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Pine Castle National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.53$24.269.4%
      Beauty Salon $55.13$45.5621.0%
      Toothpaste $3.84$3.703.8%
      Shampoo $1.48$1.2815.8%
      Movie $13.54$12.1311.6%
      Bowling $19.87$18.0010.4%

      Groceries

      Item Pine Castle National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.26$5.847.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.40$1.5711.0%
      Milk $4.58$4.671.9%
      Potatoes $5.23$4.936.0%
      Pizza $13.13$12.098.6%
      Beer $11.07$10.416.3%

      Health Care

      Item Pine Castle National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $118.44$125.685.8%
      Doctor $137.00$135.780.9%
      Dentist $125.36$113.2910.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.89$10.652.2%
      Lipitor $446.86$468.604.6%

      Housing

      Item Pine Castle National avg. Difference
      Home Price $192,700.00$184,700.004.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,463.53$2,346.695.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,069.00$949.0012.6%

      Transportation

      Item Pine Castle National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.39$3.462.1%
      Tire Balancing $57.07$59.924.8%

      Utilities

      Item Pine Castle National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $190.71$193.991.7%
      Phone $194.67$192.251.3%
      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.
      Lake Buena Vista, FL4972.6%
      Tildenville, FL43972.6%
      Lake Butler city, FL2,1858118.7%
      Bay Lake, FL438416.3%
      Campbell, FL2,2628515.1%
      Pine Castle, FL11,5671000.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      La Riviera, CA11,57012726.8%
      Lakeland Highlands, FL11,57511212.3%
      Bridgeton, MO11,577955.3%
      Douglas, GA11,5568515.0%
      Wallington, NJ11,55313130.7%
      Pine Castle, FL11,5671000.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.