| Index | Little Elm | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 116 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 157 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 94 | 98 | 100 |

The cost of living in Little Elm affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Little Elm is 116, which is 16% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Little Elm 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 56.7% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Wondering if Little Elm is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Little Elm, for example, the median home price is 50.7% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 70.8% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Little Elm boasting a median household income of $141,647, which is 74.2% higher than the national average.
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.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Little Elm, healthcare costs are 4.2% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Little Elm, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.25%, and income tax rates start at 0%.
The cost of living data for Little Elm 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.
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| Groceries index | |
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| Housing index | |
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| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $157,346 | $13,112 | $3,671 | $4,721 |
| Renters | $95,699 | $7,975 | $2,233 | $2,871 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bristol, TX | 462 | 99 | 1.1% |
| Lincoln Park, TX | 199 | 80 | 20.2% |
| Sanger, TX | 8,747 | 100 | 0.1% |
| Lake Dallas, TX | 8,292 | 104 | 4.1% |
| Aubrey, TX | 4,493 | 105 | 5.3% |
| Little Elm, TX | 51,395 | 116 | 16.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Stillwater, OK | 51,366 | 96 | 4.1% |
| East Hartford, CT | 51,352 | 105 | 5.2% |
| Poway, CA | 51,311 | 179 | 78.8% |
| Enid, OK | 51,301 | 88 | 11.9% |
| Plainfield, NJ | 51,295 | 122 | 21.5% |
| Little Elm, TX | 51,395 | 116 | 16.0% |