A+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
23%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Balch Springs Texas National
Cost of living9592100
Goods & Services10596100
Groceries9895100
Health care10197100
Housing7783100
Transportation8992100
Utilities113102100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Balch Springs, TX

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Balch Springs is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Balch Springs is 95, which is 5% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

In Balch Springs, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, 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 Balch Springs will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Balch Springs?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 14 residents in Balch Springs to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 50% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 50% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Balch Springs Affordable?

Is Balch Springs 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 Balch Springs, the median home price is 35% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 6.6% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Balch Springs boasting a median household income of $77,173, 5.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Balch Springs?

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 Balch Springs, healthcare costs are 1.4% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Balch Springs, the transportation index stands at 11.4% lower than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Balch Springs, the groceries index is 1.7% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Balch Springs 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.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Balch Springs is 3% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Balch Springs is 5% lower than the national average
  • Balch Springs housing is 23% lower than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Balch Springs

See all the best places to live around Balch Springs

Compare Balch Springs, TX 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$96,402$8,034$2,249$2,892
      Renters$62,468$5,206$1,457$1,874
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Balch Springs, TX, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Balch Springs, homeowners have a median income of $96,402. Using that number, a maximum of $2,249 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $62,468, which means there is a maximum of $1,457 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Texas 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Balch Springs National avg. Difference
      Haircut $39.28$27.6242.2%
      Beauty Salon $72.50$51.1141.9%
      Toothpaste $4.07$4.090.6%
      Shampoo $1.61$1.544.4%
      Movie $15.06$12.8816.9%
      Yoga $27.76$19.6641.2%

      Groceries

      Item Balch Springs National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.24$7.706.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.57$1.665.6%
      Milk $4.58$4.733.2%
      Potatoes $5.49$5.264.4%
      Pizza $11.59$12.769.2%
      Beer $11.10$10.555.2%

      Health Care

      Item Balch Springs National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $120.03$140.0614.3%
      Doctor $129.67$153.8215.7%
      Dentist $143.84$123.1516.8%
      Ibuprofen $11.64$11.730.8%
      Lipitor $22.43$23.615.0%

      Housing

      Item Balch Springs National avg. Difference
      Home Price $212,327.00$326,622.0035.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,186.83$2,480.2511.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,539.00$1,444.006.6%

      Transportation

      Item Balch Springs National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.80$3.068.4%
      Tire Balancing $53.07$65.2118.6%

      Utilities

      Item Balch Springs National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $259.77$220.1218.0%
      Phone $205.01$195.714.8%
      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.
      Mesquite CDP, TX6478416.1%
      Wilmer, TX4,8368911.1%
      Hutchins, TX5,962909.5%
      Ferris, TX2,901963.7%
      Seagoville, TX17,0721000.3%
      Balch Springs, TX25,952955.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      El Cerrito, CA25,955203103.0%
      Bloomingdale, FL25,96111716.8%
      Athens, OH25,971964.4%
      Kingsville, TX25,9328415.6%
      La Prairie, QC25,972n/a 
      Balch Springs, TX25,952955.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.