C
17%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
71%
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 Germantown Tennessee National
Cost of living11789100
Goods & Services9494100
Groceries10098100
Health care8788100
Housing17180100
Transportation8889100
Utilities9093100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Germantown, TN

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Germantown is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Germantown is 117, which is 17% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Germantown cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 70.9% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

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

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 12 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Germantown. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 50% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 50% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Germantown Affordable?

Is Germantown 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 Germantown is 82.8% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 43.1% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Germantown has a median household income of $123,387, which is 123% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Germantown?

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Germantown, the transportation index stands at 11.8% 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 Germantown, the groceries index is 0.2% higher than the national average.

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.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Germantown, 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 Germantown is 30% higher than the Tennessee average
  • The cost of living in Germantown is 17% higher than the national average
  • Germantown housing is 71% higher than the national average
  • Tennessee general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Tennessee state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Germantown

See all the best places to live around Germantown

Compare Germantown, TN 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$131,215$10,935$3,061$3,937
      Renters$64,559$5,380$1,506$1,937
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Germantown, TN, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Germantown homeowners, is $131,215. This would allow for a maximum of $3,061 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $64,559 which would result in a maximum of $1,506 to be spent on rental costs.

      Tennessee Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Tennessee 7% 9.75%

      Tennessee Income Tax

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

      Goods & Services

      Item Germantown National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.94$24.2611.0%
      Beauty Salon $41.92$45.568.0%
      Toothpaste $3.62$3.702.1%
      Shampoo $1.11$1.2813.1%
      Movie $11.99$12.131.2%
      Bowling $13.75$18.0023.6%

      Groceries

      Item Germantown National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.10$5.844.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.577.0%
      Milk $4.71$4.670.8%
      Potatoes $5.15$4.934.3%
      Pizza $10.66$12.0911.8%
      Beer $9.95$10.414.4%

      Health Care

      Item Germantown National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $77.39$125.6838.4%
      Doctor $124.94$135.788.0%
      Dentist $91.51$113.2919.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.19$10.654.4%
      Lipitor $518.09$468.6010.6%

      Housing

      Item Germantown National avg. Difference
      Home Price $337,600.00$184,700.0082.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,240.45$2,346.694.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,358.00$949.0043.1%

      Transportation

      Item Germantown National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.14$3.469.3%
      Tire Balancing $55.67$59.927.1%

      Utilities

      Item Germantown National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $163.38$193.9915.8%
      Phone $192.72$192.250.2%
      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.
      Byhalia, MS1,6438316.6%
      Memphis, TN650,9108613.9%
      Southaven, MS55,026946.5%
      Olive Branch, MS38,270982.1%
      Bridgetown, MS2,5801000.4%
      Germantown, TN39,19611716.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Northglenn, CO39,20112120.6%
      Port Moody, BC39,217n/a 
      South Valley, NM39,150937.0%
      Roy, UT39,2431055.1%
      Milton, GA39,25214443.6%
      Germantown, TN39,19611716.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.