| Index | Poquoson | Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 127 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 102 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 105 | 103 | 100 |
| Housing | 179 | 129 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 105 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 103 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 113 | 109 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Poquoson allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Poquoson stands at 127, marking it 27% higher than the national average.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Poquoson may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Poquoson falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Poquoson 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 79.3% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Poquoson 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 Poquoson, for instance, where the median home price falls 93.4% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 46.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Poquoson flaunting a median household income of $150,958, 85.6% higher than the national norm.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Poquoson, the groceries index is 2.3% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, 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 farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Poquoson comes in at 6.4% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Poquoson are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $169,373 | $14,114 | $3,952 | $5,082 |
| Renters | $117,158 | $9,763 | $2,734 | $3,515 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Virginia | 5.3% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Virginia | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Benns Church, VA | 663 | 105 | 4.6% |
| Hampton, VA | 138,888 | 105 | 5.0% |
| Newport News, VA | 184,134 | 105 | 5.3% |
| Gloucester Point, VA | 10,715 | 110 | 9.9% |
| Smithfield, VA | 8,784 | 118 | 17.7% |
| Poquoson, VA | 12,541 | 127 | 26.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Freeport, TX | 12,541 | 87 | 12.7% |
| Braselton, GA | 12,543 | 118 | 18.0% |
| Enumclaw, WA | 12,536 | 127 | 27.1% |
| St. Andrews, MB | 12,535 | n/a | |
| James Island, SC | 12,534 | 125 | 25.4% |
| Poquoson, VA | 12,541 | 127 | 26.9% |