| Index | Dunedin | Florida | National |
| Cost of living | 108 | 102 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 102 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 104 | 100 |
| Housing | 122 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 107 | 110 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 104 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 109 | 106 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Dunedin? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Dunedin stands at 108, making it 8% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Dunedin is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Dunedin cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 22.5% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 8 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Dunedin. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 38% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 63% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Dunedin an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Dunedin is 24.1% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 18.7% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Dunedin has a median household income of $77,807, which is 4.3% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Dunedin, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6%, and the income tax rates commence at 0%.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Dunedin, the transportation index is 1.2% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Dunedin 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 | $88,939 | $7,412 | $2,075 | $2,668 |
| Renters | $61,352 | $5,113 | $1,431 | $1,841 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Florida | 6% | 7.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Florida | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Holiday, FL | 21,830 | 92 | 7.9% |
| Beacon Square, FL | 7,302 | 92 | 7.7% |
| South Highpoint, FL | 6,065 | 94 | 6.3% |
| Elfers, FL | 13,209 | 94 | 6.4% |
| Lealman, FL | 22,381 | 97 | 2.7% |
| Dunedin, FL | 37,553 | 108 | 8.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Holly Springs, NC | 37,538 | 124 | 23.8% |
| Lewiston, ME | 37,532 | 97 | 2.9% |
| Roseville, MN | 37,577 | 112 | 11.7% |
| Phenix City, AL | 37,524 | 90 | 9.9% |
| Portage, IN | 37,504 | 94 | 5.6% |
| Dunedin, FL | 37,553 | 108 | 8.4% |
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