A+
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
21%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
32%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
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 Gainesville Texas National
Cost of living9892100
Goods & Services12196100
Groceries9796100
Health care11094100
Housing6883100
Transportation9492100
Utilities115104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Gainesville, TX

Knowing the cost of living in Gainesville 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 Gainesville stands at 98, marking it 2% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Gainesville is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services 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.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Gainesville goods and services are 20.6% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

Is Gainesville Affordable?

Is Gainesville 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 Gainesville, for instance, where the median home price falls 44.4% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 2.6% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Gainesville flaunting a median household income of $46,327, 16.3% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Gainesville?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Gainesville, healthcare costs are 9.8% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Gainesville, the transportation index is 6.4% lower than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Gainesville, the groceries index is 3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Gainesville, 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.

New Real Estate Listings in Gainesville Area
Search Homes for Sale in Gainesville, TX

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Gainesville is 6% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Gainesville is 2% lower than the national average
  • Gainesville housing is 32% lower than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Gainesville

See all the best places to live around Gainesville

Compare Gainesville, TX Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Gainesville?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Gainesville?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Gainesville poll results

      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$62,442$5,204$1,457$1,873
      Renters$35,745$2,979$834$1,072
      The affordability of the housing market in Gainesville, TX as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Gainesville homeowners, the median income is $62,442. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,457 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $35,745. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $834 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Texas 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Gainesville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.57$24.262.8%
      Beauty Salon $35.11$45.5622.9%
      Toothpaste $3.51$3.705.1%
      Shampoo $1.22$1.284.7%
      Movie $11.85$12.132.3%
      Bowling $16.96$18.005.8%

      Groceries

      Item Gainesville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.44$5.846.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.32$1.5716.1%
      Milk $4.63$4.670.9%
      Potatoes $4.15$4.9316.0%
      Pizza $11.96$12.091.0%
      Beer $10.27$10.411.4%

      Health Care

      Item Gainesville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $96.63$125.6823.1%
      Doctor $131.00$135.783.5%
      Dentist $86.73$113.2923.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.40$10.652.4%
      Lipitor $484.49$468.603.4%

      Housing

      Item Gainesville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $102,700.00$184,700.0044.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,562.33$2,346.6933.4%
      Apartment Rent $924.00$949.002.6%

      Transportation

      Item Gainesville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.47$3.460.3%
      Tire Balancing $66.47$59.9210.9%

      Utilities

      Item Gainesville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $145.64$193.9924.9%
      Phone $208.71$192.258.6%
      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.
      Lindsay CDP, TX30211111.0%
      Thackerville, OK400928.1%
      Valley View, TX7941011.1%
      Whitesboro, TX4,0431033.0%
      Callisburg, TX2401043.8%
      Gainesville, TX16,557981.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Abington, MA16,55714040.2%
      South Venice, FL16,5551066.1%
      Washington, IL16,555963.7%
      Mercedes, TX16,5617327.0%
      Country Club Hills, IL16,564991.3%
      Gainesville, TX16,557981.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.