A+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
19%
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 Erlanger Kentucky National
Cost of living9590100
Goods & Services102101100
Groceries102101100
Health care10384100
Housing8170100
Transportation10292100
Utilities100104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Erlanger, KY

Understanding the cost of living in Erlanger 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 Erlanger cost of living index is 95, which is 5% 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.

The cost of living in Erlanger aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Erlanger residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Is Erlanger Affordable?

Is Erlanger 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 Erlanger, for instance, where the median home price falls 24% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 7.9% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Erlanger flaunting a median household income of $70,589, 27.6% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Erlanger?

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, 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 farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Erlanger, the healthcare costs are 2.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Erlanger, 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 Erlanger is 6% higher than the Kentucky average
  • The cost of living in Erlanger is 5% lower than the national average
  • Erlanger housing is 19% 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 Erlanger

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Compare Erlanger, 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$84,874$7,073$1,980$2,546
      Renters$38,000$3,167$887$1,140
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Erlanger is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Erlanger has a median income of about $84,874 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,980 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $38,000. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $887 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Erlanger National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.13$24.263.6%
      Beauty Salon $37.93$45.5616.7%
      Toothpaste $3.60$3.702.7%
      Shampoo $1.27$1.280.6%
      Movie $14.35$12.1318.3%
      Bowling $17.56$18.002.5%

      Groceries

      Item Erlanger National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.91$5.841.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.72$1.579.1%
      Milk $4.80$4.672.7%
      Potatoes $5.05$4.932.3%
      Pizza $11.92$12.091.4%
      Beer $10.63$10.412.1%

      Health Care

      Item Erlanger National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $105.42$125.6816.1%
      Doctor $159.40$135.7817.4%
      Dentist $106.67$113.295.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.68$10.650.3%
      Lipitor $497.02$468.606.1%

      Housing

      Item Erlanger National avg. Difference
      Home Price $140,300.00$184,700.0024.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,993.26$2,346.6915.1%
      Apartment Rent $874.00$949.007.9%

      Transportation

      Item Erlanger National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.27$3.465.6%
      Tire Balancing $73.09$59.9222.0%

      Utilities

      Item Erlanger National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $197.10$193.991.6%
      Phone $186.48$192.253.0%
      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.
      Shawnee, OH1,0541021.7%
      Petersburg, KY3681021.7%
      Plainville, OH1531021.7%
      Elizabethtown, OH2848020.4%
      Hooven, OH3268119.1%
      Erlanger, KY19,106954.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      South San Jose Hills, CA19,10413737.5%
      Quispamsis, NB19,102n/a 
      Corner Brook, NL19,117n/a 
      Mesquite, NV19,0871099.5%
      McKeesport, PA19,1288317.2%
      Erlanger, KY19,106954.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.