| Index | Big Spring | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 88 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 64 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 104 | 98 | 100 |

The cost of living in Big Spring 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 Big Spring is 88, which is 12% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 8 residents in Big Spring 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? 38% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 63% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Big Spring affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Big Spring, for instance, where the median home price falls 47.6% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 9.6% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Big Spring flaunting a median household income of $84,380, 3.7% higher than the national norm.
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 Big Spring, healthcare costs are 2% lower than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Big Spring, the transportation index is 5.6% 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 Big Spring comes in at 4.4% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Big Spring 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.
| 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 | $93,385 | $7,782 | $2,179 | $2,802 |
| Renters | $60,138 | $5,012 | $1,403 | $1,804 |
| 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. |
| Forsan, TX | 465 | 80 | 19.6% |
| Sand Springs, TX | 775 | 82 | 18.1% |
| Coahoma, TX | 811 | 89 | 10.7% |
| Big Spring, TX | 28,488 | 88 | 12.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Huntley, IL | 28,474 | 112 | 12.0% |
| Wasco, CA | 28,473 | 110 | 10.1% |
| Oxford, MS | 28,503 | 107 | 7.1% |
| Perry Hall, MD | 28,466 | 120 | 19.5% |
| Kirkwood, MO | 28,511 | 117 | 16.6% |
| Big Spring, TX | 28,488 | 88 | 12.3% |