| Index | Centralia | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 84 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 48 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 100 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Centralia 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 Centralia cost of living index is 84, which is 16% 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.
Housing costs often consume a significant share of your take-home income, often surpassing 30%. Fortunately, Centralia distinguishes itself by reporting housing expenses that are 52.2% below the national average. This indicates that both owning a home and renting in this area are notably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the nation. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Centralia can allocate more of their income to housing, enhancing their financial flexibility.
Wondering if Centralia 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 Centralia, for example, the median home price is 58.7% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 37% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Centralia boasting a median household income of $59,354, which is 27% lower than the national average.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Centralia, the utilities index registers 1.6% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Centralia, the groceries index registers 0.3% higher than the national average.
The Centralia cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $77,070 | $6,423 | $1,798 | $2,312 |
| Renters | $33,343 | $2,779 | $778 | $1,000 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 10.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Illinois | 4.95% | 4.95% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Walnut Hill, IL | 114 | 78 | 22.3% |
| Kell, IL | 146 | 78 | 21.9% |
| Alma, IL | 307 | 79 | 21.4% |
| Wamac, IL | 1,271 | 80 | 20.3% |
| Dix, IL | 551 | 80 | 19.7% |
| Centralia, IL | 12,756 | 84 | 16.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fairfax Station, VA | 12,757 | 171 | 71.4% |
| Markham, IL | 12,759 | 94 | 5.7% |
| Lakeland Village, CA | 12,752 | 132 | 32.5% |
| Grenada, MS | 12,751 | 85 | 15.1% |
| Goldenrod, FL | 12,742 | 112 | 11.9% |
| Centralia, IL | 12,756 | 84 | 16.2% |
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