| Index | Monroe | Georgia | National |
| Cost of living | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 87 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 102 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 99 | 100 |
The cost of living in Monroe 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 Monroe is 95, which is 5% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Monroe is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses 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.
Wondering if Monroe 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 Monroe, for example, the median home price is 18.7% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 0.1% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Monroe boasting a median household income of $56,327, which is 30.7% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Monroe, the groceries index is 0.5% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
The Monroe cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $76,320 | $6,360 | $1,781 | $2,290 |
| Renters | $42,731 | $3,561 | $997 | $1,282 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Georgia | 4% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Georgia | 1% | 5.57% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Russell, GA | 1,515 | 90 | 10.4% |
| Oxford, GA | 2,163 | 91 | 9.1% |
| Social Circle, GA | 4,622 | 94 | 5.8% |
| Statham, GA | 2,782 | 96 | 3.7% |
| Bethlehem, GA | 1,069 | 94 | 5.7% |
| Monroe, GA | 13,903 | 95 | 4.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Englewood, OH | 13,901 | 90 | 10.3% |
| Jensen Beach, FL | 13,898 | 111 | 11.4% |
| New Providence, NJ | 13,898 | 166 | 65.7% |
| Canton, IL | 13,910 | 87 | 12.9% |
| The Nation / La Nation, ON | 13,890 | n/a | |
| Monroe, GA | 13,903 | 95 | 4.7% |
Here are the best places to live in Georgia
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Georgia
These are the largest cities in Georgia
Most Dangerous Cities In The US