| Index | Plainview | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 85 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 53 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 98 | 100 |
The cost of living in Plainview 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 Plainview is 85, which is 15% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Plainview are 47.1% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.
Wondering if Plainview 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 Plainview, for example, the median home price is 54.3% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 30.3% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Plainview boasting a median household income of $66,951, which is 17.7% 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.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Plainview, is 47.1% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Plainview 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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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $89,365 | $7,447 | $2,085 | $2,681 |
| Renters | $47,815 | $3,985 | $1,116 | $1,435 |
| 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. |
| Seth Ward, TX | 1,919 | 81 | 19.1% |
| Kress, TX | 903 | 83 | 17.4% |
| Hale Center, TX | 2,069 | 83 | 17.1% |
| Edmonson, TX | 87 | 83 | 16.8% |
| Plainview, TX | 20,929 | 85 | 14.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pleasantville, NJ | 20,927 | 104 | 3.5% |
| Wade Hampton, SC | 20,936 | 105 | 5.0% |
| Payson, UT | 20,937 | 111 | 11.0% |
| Nogales, AZ | 20,919 | 91 | 9.1% |
| Albany, CA | 20,944 | 207 | 106.5% |
| Plainview, TX | 20,929 | 85 | 14.9% |
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