| Index | Auburn | Alabama | National |
| Cost of living | 104 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 93 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 129 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 93 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 93 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 94 | 93 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Auburn? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Auburn stands at 104, making it 4% higher 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.
In Auburn, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Auburn will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Auburn cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 29.2% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 11 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Auburn. The feedback revealed that 27% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 73% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Auburn affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Auburn, the median home price is 45.5% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 8.7% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Auburn boasting a median household income of $73,816, 9.2% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Auburn, the general sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates begin at 2%.
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 Auburn, the utilities index registers at 3.7% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Auburn, healthcare costs are 6.8% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Auburn shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
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| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $149,106 | $12,426 | $3,479 | $4,474 |
| Renters | $35,150 | $2,929 | $820 | $1,055 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Alabama | 4% | 13.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Alabama | 2% | 5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Camp Hill, AL | 1,306 | 78 | 21.7% |
| Notasulga, AL | 1,162 | 80 | 19.6% |
| Tuskegee, AL | 8,678 | 81 | 19.2% |
| Cusseta, AL | 102 | 89 | 11.4% |
| Opelika, AL | 31,335 | 92 | 7.6% |
| Auburn, AL | 67,890 | 104 | 4.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lakeville, MN | 67,943 | 122 | 21.8% |
| Shawnee, KS | 67,767 | 105 | 4.7% |
| Ames, IA | 68,047 | 100 | 0.1% |
| Eastvale, CA | 67,681 | 176 | 76.1% |
| Laguna Niguel, CA | 67,631 | 204 | 103.9% |
| Auburn, AL | 67,890 | 104 | 4.5% |
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