A+
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
22%
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 Balch Springs Texas National
Cost of living9692100
Goods & Services10896100
Groceries10096100
Health care10894100
Housing7883100
Transportation8992100
Utilities111104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Balch Springs, TX

Understanding the cost of living in Balch Springs 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 Balch Springs cost of living index is 96, which is 4% lower 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 Balch Springs are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Balch Springs can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

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

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 14 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Balch Springs. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 50% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 50% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Balch Springs Affordable?

Wondering if Balch Springs 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 Balch Springs, for example, the median home price is 35% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 7.9% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Balch Springs boasting a median household income of $52,696, which is 4.7% lower than the national average.

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

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Balch Springs, the housing index is 22.1% 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 0.1% 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.

Where is the Data From?

The Balch Springs cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors 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 Balch Springs is 4% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Balch Springs is 4% lower than the national average
  • Balch Springs housing is 22% 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$63,777$5,315$1,488$1,914
      Renters$42,594$3,550$994$1,278
      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 $63,777. Using that number, a maximum of $1,488 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $42,594, which means there is a maximum of $994 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 $33.29$24.2637.2%
      Beauty Salon $65.85$45.5644.5%
      Toothpaste $3.57$3.703.6%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.281.3%
      Movie $14.60$12.1320.3%
      Bowling $24.53$18.0036.3%

      Groceries

      Item Balch Springs National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.23$5.8410.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.74$1.5710.8%
      Milk $4.65$4.670.5%
      Potatoes $4.93$4.930.0%
      Pizza $11.30$12.096.5%
      Beer $10.93$10.415.0%

      Health Care

      Item Balch Springs National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $143.73$125.6814.4%
      Doctor $140.69$135.783.6%
      Dentist $130.53$113.2915.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.62$10.650.3%
      Lipitor $499.87$468.606.7%

      Housing

      Item Balch Springs National avg. Difference
      Home Price $120,000.00$184,700.0035.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,258.00$2,346.693.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,024.00$949.007.9%

      Transportation

      Item Balch Springs National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.09$3.4610.7%
      Tire Balancing $52.04$59.9213.2%

      Utilities

      Item Balch Springs National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $219.02$193.9912.9%
      Phone $208.71$192.258.6%
      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, TX6298514.7%
      Wilmer, TX4,698909.9%
      Hutchins, TX5,804928.1%
      Ferris, TX2,842972.6%
      Seagoville, TX16,7261011.2%
      Balch Springs, TX25,123963.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      South Salt Lake, UT25,1251109.6%
      Riverside, OH25,1278910.9%
      Bloomingdale, FL25,13211413.6%
      Ridgewood, NJ25,11017978.6%
      North Tustin, CA25,147203102.6%
      Balch Springs, TX25,123963.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.