B+
3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
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 Stuarts Draft Virginia National
Cost of living103109100
Goods & Services103100100
Groceries99101100
Health care9699100
Housing107130100
Transportation9395100
Utilities105104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Stuarts Draft, VA

Understanding the cost of living in Stuarts Draft can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Stuarts Draft cost of living index is 103, which is 3% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Stuarts Draft are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Stuarts Draft can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Stuarts Draft Affordable?

Wondering if Stuarts Draft 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 Stuarts Draft, for example, the median home price is 8.4% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 2.7% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Stuarts Draft boasting a median household income of $63,679, which is 15.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Stuarts Draft?

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Stuarts Draft, the utilities index stands at 4.8% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, 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. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Stuarts Draft, the housing index stands at 6.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Stuarts Draft 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 Stuarts Draft is 6% lower than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Stuarts Draft is 3% higher than the national average
  • Stuarts Draft housing is 7% higher than the national average
  • Virginia general sales tax is 4% higher than the national average
  • Virginia state income tax is 11% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Stuarts Draft

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Compare Stuarts Draft, VA 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$73,081$6,090$1,705$2,193
      Renters$37,641$3,137$878$1,129
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Stuarts Draft, VA, 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 Stuarts Draft have a median income of $73,081. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,705 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $37,641, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $878.

      Virginia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Virginia 5.3% 6%

      Virginia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Virginia 2% 5.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Stuarts Draft National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.97$24.2615.3%
      Beauty Salon $54.19$45.5618.9%
      Toothpaste $3.81$3.702.9%
      Shampoo $1.71$1.2833.5%
      Movie $15.32$12.1326.3%
      Bowling $25.50$18.0041.7%

      Groceries

      Item Stuarts Draft National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.34$5.848.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.4%
      Milk $4.78$4.672.4%
      Potatoes $5.33$4.938.0%
      Pizza $12.47$12.093.2%
      Beer $11.67$10.4112.1%

      Health Care

      Item Stuarts Draft National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $121.84$125.683.1%
      Doctor $168.85$135.7824.4%
      Dentist $135.19$113.2919.3%
      Ibuprofen $11.86$10.6511.4%
      Lipitor $414.10$468.6011.6%

      Housing

      Item Stuarts Draft National avg. Difference
      Home Price $200,200.00$184,700.008.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,381.45$2,346.69129.3%
      Apartment Rent $975.00$949.002.7%

      Transportation

      Item Stuarts Draft National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.49$3.460.8%
      Tire Balancing $57.76$59.923.6%

      Utilities

      Item Stuarts Draft National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $201.35$193.993.8%
      Phone $184.83$192.253.9%
      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.
      Wintergreen, VA4941010.9%
      Middlebrook, VA01010.9%
      Crimora, VA2,297946.5%
      Verona, VA3,965972.6%
      Sherando, VA549982.2%
      Stuarts Draft, VA11,3801032.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Nanakuli, HI11,37915049.9%
      Guymon, OK11,3818613.5%
      Martinsville, NJ11,38415958.8%
      Bellmawr, NJ11,3751011.2%
      Minnehaha, WA11,38712424.5%
      Stuarts Draft, VA11,3801032.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.