| Index | Alton | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 86 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 56 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 98 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Alton? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Alton stands at 86, making it 14% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Alton are 43.8% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.
Is Alton 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 Alton, the median home price is 55% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 17.6% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Alton come in at $56,800, which is 30.2% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Alton, healthcare costs are 0.9% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Alton comes in at 2.1% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Alton are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $70,355 | $5,863 | $1,642 | $2,111 |
| Renters | $32,378 | $2,698 | $755 | $971 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| E. Lopez, TX | 230 | 98 | 1.9% |
| Havana, TX | 526 | 98 | 1.9% |
| Campo Verde, TX | 173 | 98 | 1.6% |
| Palo Blanco, TX | 62 | 98 | 1.9% |
| Tierra Dorada, TX | 0 | 98 | 1.9% |
| Alton, TX | 18,261 | 86 | 14.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Wisconsin Rapids, WI | 18,260 | 86 | 13.5% |
| Santa Fe Springs, CA | 18,267 | 151 | 50.8% |
| Maitland, FL | 18,243 | 134 | 33.7% |
| Natchitoches, LA | 18,243 | 94 | 6.3% |
| North Babylon, NY | 18,242 | 138 | 38.4% |
| Alton, TX | 18,261 | 86 | 14.5% |
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