C+
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
59%
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 The Villages Florida National
Cost of living11398100
Goods & Services9298100
Groceries9699100
Health care9496100
Housing15996100
Transportation10499100
Utilities8697100

An Overview of Cost of Living in The Villages, FL

Understanding the cost of living in The Villages 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 The Villages cost of living index is 113, which is 13% 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.

Housing costs are a major factor in the The Villages cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 58.7% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Is The Villages Affordable?

Wondering if The Villages 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 The Villages, for example, the median home price is 53.4% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 71.1% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with The Villages boasting a median household income of $64,933, which is 17.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in The Villages?

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.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In The Villages, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6%, and the income tax rates commence at 0%.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In The Villages, the utilities index registers at 14% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in The Villages 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 The Villages is 16% higher than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in The Villages is 13% higher than the national average
  • The Villages housing is 59% 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 The Villages

See all the best places to live around The Villages

Compare The Villages, 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$66,497$5,541$1,551$1,995
      Renters$39,079$3,257$912$1,172
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in The Villages 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. The Villages has a median income of about $66,497 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,551 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $39,079. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $912 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 The Villages National avg. Difference
      Haircut $22.56$24.267.0%
      Beauty Salon $62.28$45.5636.7%
      Toothpaste $3.65$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.41$1.2810.4%
      Movie $13.48$12.1311.1%
      Bowling $16.89$18.006.2%

      Groceries

      Item The Villages National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.76$5.841.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.42$1.579.7%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.6%
      Potatoes $5.29$4.937.2%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $11.00$10.415.7%

      Health Care

      Item The Villages National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $80.94$125.6835.6%
      Doctor $125.35$135.787.7%
      Dentist $103.14$113.299.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.54$10.651.0%
      Lipitor $490.06$468.604.6%

      Housing

      Item The Villages National avg. Difference
      Home Price $283,300.00$184,700.0053.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,315.76$2,346.691.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,624.00$949.0071.1%

      Transportation

      Item The Villages National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.36$3.462.9%
      Tire Balancing $54.31$59.929.4%

      Utilities

      Item The Villages National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $162.33$193.9916.3%
      Phone $192.62$192.250.2%
      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.
      Okahumpka, FL1437722.6%
      Lake Panasoffkee, FL4,0498316.8%
      Coleman, FL9218415.7%
      Belleview, FL5,0288515.3%
      Silver Springs Shores, FL24,9118911.0%
      The Villages, FL81,44411313.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cicero, IL81,4711021.6%
      Pine Hills, FL81,415972.9%
      San Ramon, CA81,344221120.6%
      Cranston, RI81,25211615.8%
      Somerville, MA81,17518383.4%
      The Villages, FL81,44411313.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.