A+
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
38%
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 Brunswick Georgia National
Cost of living8593100
Goods & Services9597100
Groceries9998100
Health care86100100
Housing6286100
Transportation8794100
Utilities10186100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Brunswick, GA

The cost of living in Brunswick 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 Brunswick is 85, which is 15% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Brunswick?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 9 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Brunswick. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 11% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 89% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Brunswick Affordable?

Wondering if Brunswick 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 Brunswick, for example, the median home price is 44.5% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 22.6% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Brunswick boasting a median household income of $27,471, which is 50.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Brunswick?

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Brunswick, the general sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates begin at 1%.

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 Brunswick, healthcare costs are 14.5% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Brunswick, the groceries index is 1.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Brunswick, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Brunswick is 8% lower than the Georgia average
  • The cost of living in Brunswick is 15% lower than the national average
  • Brunswick housing is 38% lower than the national average
  • Georgia general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Georgia state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Brunswick

See all the best places to live around Brunswick

Compare Brunswick, GA Cost of Living

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      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$43,250$3,604$1,009$1,298
      Renters$23,060$1,922$538$692
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Brunswick, GA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Brunswick have a median income of $43,250. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,009 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $23,060, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $538.

      Georgia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Georgia 4% 8%

      Georgia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Georgia 1% 5.57%

      Goods & Services

      Item Brunswick National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.91$24.2613.8%
      Beauty Salon $70.33$45.5654.4%
      Toothpaste $3.69$3.700.3%
      Shampoo $1.43$1.2811.7%
      Movie $12.86$12.136.0%
      Bowling $20.93$18.0016.3%

      Groceries

      Item Brunswick National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.34$5.848.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.47$1.576.3%
      Milk $4.57$4.672.3%
      Potatoes $5.44$4.9310.3%
      Pizza $10.39$12.0914.0%
      Beer $11.31$10.418.6%

      Health Care

      Item Brunswick National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $86.60$125.6831.1%
      Doctor $100.93$135.7825.7%
      Dentist $102.03$113.299.9%
      Ibuprofen $10.61$10.650.4%
      Lipitor $447.41$468.604.5%

      Housing

      Item Brunswick National avg. Difference
      Home Price $102,600.00$184,700.0044.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,803.79$2,346.6923.1%
      Apartment Rent $735.00$949.0022.6%

      Transportation

      Item Brunswick National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.44$3.460.5%
      Tire Balancing $34.43$59.9242.5%

      Utilities

      Item Brunswick National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $193.67$193.990.2%
      Phone $194.82$192.251.3%
      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.
      Woodbine, GA1,3228515.3%
      Darien, GA1,9568811.9%
      Dock Junction, GA7,5008812.4%
      Country Club Estates, GA9,4088910.5%
      St. Simons, GA15,29112221.5%
      Brunswick, GA16,2318515.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Auburndale, FL16,230982.2%
      Port Washington, NY16,23219392.5%
      Beckley, WV16,2408812.4%
      Fairview Park, OH16,219955.5%
      Fort Carson, CO16,24312827.8%
      Brunswick, GA16,2318515.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.