| Index | Berea | South Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 73 | 81 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 98 | 100 |
The cost of living in Berea affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Berea is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Berea closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Berea can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Wondering if Berea 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 Berea, for example, the median home price is 33.4% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 12.5% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Berea boasting a median household income of $55,805, which is 31.4% 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 Berea, healthcare costs are 0.8% 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 Berea, the groceries index is 0.7% 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 data for Berea 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.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $74,286 | $6,191 | $1,733 | $2,229 |
| Renters | $43,298 | $3,608 | $1,010 | $1,299 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| South Carolina | 6% | 9% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| South Carolina | 0% | 6.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Tigerville, SC | 2,094 | 97 | 2.5% |
| Slater-Marietta, SC | 2,150 | 85 | 15.0% |
| Judson, SC | 1,459 | 87 | 13.3% |
| Parker, SC | 12,654 | 87 | 12.8% |
| Liberty, SC | 3,240 | 90 | 9.7% |
| Berea, SC | 15,623 | 92 | 8.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Mastic, NY | 15,624 | 125 | 25.0% |
| Depew, NY | 15,627 | 101 | 0.9% |
| Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace, FL | 15,617 | 100 | 0.4% |
| Brooks, AB | 15,617 | n/a | |
| Salida, CA | 15,629 | 137 | 37.5% |
| Berea, SC | 15,623 | 92 | 8.1% |
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