A-
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
9%
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 Sweetwater Florida National
Cost of living10698100
Goods & Services10698100
Groceries10499100
Health care9696100
Housing10996100
Transportation10399100
Utilities10397100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Sweetwater, FL

Understanding the cost of living in Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater cost of living index is 106, which is 6% 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 Sweetwater are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Sweetwater can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Sweetwater Affordable?

Is Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater, the median home price is 4.6% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 41.8% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Sweetwater come in at $43,391, which is 21.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sweetwater?

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Sweetwater, the groceries index is 4% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Sweetwater, the transportation index is 2.6% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Sweetwater, the utilities index is 2.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater is 8% higher than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in Sweetwater is 6% higher than the national average
  • Sweetwater housing is 9% 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 Sweetwater

See all the best places to live around Sweetwater

Compare Sweetwater, 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$52,977$4,415$1,236$1,589
      Renters$37,279$3,107$870$1,118
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Sweetwater, FL, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Sweetwater, the median monthly income is $52,977 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,236 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $37,279, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $870 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Sweetwater National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.53$24.2615.4%
      Beauty Salon $88.07$45.5693.3%
      Toothpaste $3.51$3.705.2%
      Shampoo $1.53$1.2819.7%
      Movie $14.35$12.1318.2%
      Bowling $23.67$18.0031.5%

      Groceries

      Item Sweetwater National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.11$5.844.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.40$1.5711.2%
      Milk $4.60$4.671.5%
      Potatoes $5.24$4.936.2%
      Pizza $14.13$12.0916.9%
      Beer $11.44$10.419.9%

      Health Care

      Item Sweetwater National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $98.49$125.6821.6%
      Doctor $127.08$135.786.4%
      Dentist $107.83$113.294.8%
      Ibuprofen $11.10$10.654.2%
      Lipitor $490.35$468.604.6%

      Housing

      Item Sweetwater National avg. Difference
      Home Price $176,200.00$184,700.004.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,109.00$2,346.6932.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,346.00$949.0041.8%

      Transportation

      Item Sweetwater National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.49$3.460.8%
      Tire Balancing $64.09$59.927.0%

      Utilities

      Item Sweetwater National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $200.94$193.993.6%
      Phone $194.37$192.251.1%
      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.
      Medley, FL1,0538712.6%
      Pembroke Park, FL6,7168910.9%
      Gladeview, FL13,490981.8%
      Opa-locka, FL16,0081010.7%
      West Little River, FL32,2931033.3%
      Sweetwater, FL20,8521065.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hays, KS20,855927.6%
      Green Valley, AZ20,8571054.9%
      South Milwaukee, WI20,857982.1%
      Brambleton, VA20,84316665.9%
      Beaconsfield, QC20,868n/a 
      Sweetwater, FL20,8521065.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.