A+
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
11%
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 Bowling Green Kentucky National
Cost of living9490100
Goods & Services94101100
Groceries100101100
Health care9184100
Housing8970100
Transportation9292100
Utilities102104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Bowling Green, KY

Knowing the cost of living in Bowling Green allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Bowling Green stands at 94, marking it 6% lower than the national average.

In Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Bowling Green?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 5 residents in Bowling Green 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? 100% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 0% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Bowling Green Affordable?

Wondering if Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green, for example, the median home price is 9% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 14.1% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Bowling Green boasting a median household income of $42,044, which is 24% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bowling Green?

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 Bowling Green, healthcare costs are 9.2% lower than the national average.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Bowling Green, the housing index stands at 10.6% lower 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 Bowling Green, the transportation index stands at 8.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Bowling Green 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Bowling Green is 4% higher than the Kentucky average
  • The cost of living in Bowling Green is 6% lower than the national average
  • Bowling Green housing is 11% lower than the national average
  • Kentucky general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Kentucky state income tax is 73% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Bowling Green

See all the best places to live around Bowling Green

Compare Bowling Green, KY 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$67,526$5,627$1,576$2,026
      Renters$31,282$2,607$730$939
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Bowling Green, KY, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Bowling Green, the median monthly income is $67,526 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,576 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $31,282, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $730 on monthly rental expenses.

      Kentucky Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Kentucky 6% 6%

      Kentucky Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Kentucky 4.5% 4.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Bowling Green National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.76$24.262.1%
      Beauty Salon $46.01$45.561.0%
      Toothpaste $3.71$3.700.2%
      Shampoo $1.23$1.283.9%
      Movie $13.30$12.139.6%
      Bowling $19.79$18.009.9%

      Groceries

      Item Bowling Green National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.70$5.842.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.43$1.578.9%
      Milk $4.68$4.670.2%
      Potatoes $5.16$4.934.6%
      Pizza $10.85$12.0910.3%
      Beer $10.05$10.413.5%

      Health Care

      Item Bowling Green National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $96.03$125.6823.6%
      Doctor $116.91$135.7813.9%
      Dentist $104.65$113.297.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.51$10.651.3%
      Lipitor $460.51$468.601.7%

      Housing

      Item Bowling Green National avg. Difference
      Home Price $168,000.00$184,700.009.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,548.79$2,346.698.6%
      Apartment Rent $815.00$949.0014.1%

      Transportation

      Item Bowling Green National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.12$3.469.8%
      Tire Balancing $57.43$59.924.2%

      Utilities

      Item Bowling Green National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $183.77$193.995.3%
      Phone $218.37$192.2513.6%
      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.
      Woodbury, KY528119.0%
      Auburn, KY1,4638514.9%
      Oakland, KY2548613.7%
      Plum Springs, KY4488911.3%
      Woodburn, KY3738911.2%
      Bowling Green, KY71,628946.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Gulfport, MS71,660918.7%
      Redlands, CA71,68014039.6%
      Maple Grove, MN71,56911716.7%
      Pittsburg, CA71,72315049.7%
      Pawtucket, RI71,8211099.2%
      Bowling Green, KY71,628946.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.