A+
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
30%
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 Lebanon Tennessee National
Cost of living10689100
Goods & Services9494100
Groceries10098100
Health care9188100
Housing13080100
Transportation9289100
Utilities10293100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Lebanon, TN

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Lebanon? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Lebanon stands at 106, making it 6% 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.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Lebanon are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Lebanon can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Lebanon 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 29.8% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

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

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 5 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Lebanon and this is how they responded. 20% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 80% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Lebanon Affordable?

Is Lebanon 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 Lebanon, for instance, where the median home price falls 41.5% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 2.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Lebanon flaunting a median household income of $58,859, 6.4% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Lebanon?

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Lebanon, the transportation index is 8.2% lower than the national average.

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 Lebanon, healthcare costs are 9.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Lebanon displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Lebanon is 19% higher than the Tennessee average
  • The cost of living in Lebanon is 6% higher than the national average
  • Lebanon housing is 30% 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 Lebanon

See all the best places to live around Lebanon

Compare Lebanon, 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$83,162$6,930$1,940$2,495
      Renters$36,517$3,043$852$1,096
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Lebanon 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. Lebanon has a median income of about $83,162 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,940 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $36,517. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $852 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.76$24.262.1%
      Beauty Salon $46.01$45.561.0%
      Toothpaste $3.71$3.700.2%
      Shampoo $1.23$1.283.9%
      Movie $13.30$12.139.6%
      Bowling $19.79$18.009.9%

      Groceries

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.70$5.842.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.43$1.578.9%
      Milk $4.68$4.670.2%
      Potatoes $5.16$4.934.6%
      Pizza $10.85$12.0910.3%
      Beer $10.05$10.413.5%

      Health Care

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $96.03$125.6823.6%
      Doctor $116.91$135.7813.9%
      Dentist $104.65$113.297.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.51$10.651.3%
      Lipitor $460.51$468.601.7%

      Housing

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Home Price $261,400.00$184,700.0041.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,548.79$2,346.698.6%
      Apartment Rent $971.00$949.002.3%

      Transportation

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.12$3.469.8%
      Tire Balancing $57.43$59.924.2%

      Utilities

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $183.77$193.995.3%
      Phone $218.37$192.2513.6%
      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.
      Castalian Springs, TN397964.0%
      Alexandria, TN9928416.2%
      Hartsville (Trousdale County) , TN7,9708712.5%
      Watertown, TN1,6989010.4%
      La Vergne, TN35,5561000.5%
      Lebanon, TN34,7591066.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Stow, OH34,770991.4%
      Boardman, OH34,7178910.7%
      Owings Mills, MD34,71111817.7%
      Leawood, KS34,70213535.1%
      Englewood, CO34,84012626.4%
      Lebanon, TN34,7591066.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.