B-
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
11%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
24%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Princeton Texas National
Cost of living11392100
Goods & Services11196100
Groceries9895100
Health care12197100
Housing12483100
Transportation10192100
Utilities113102100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Princeton, TX

Knowing the cost of living in Princeton 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 Princeton stands at 113, marking it 13% higher than the national average.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Princeton, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 24% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Princeton, you you will have to spend 10.7% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

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

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 6 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Princeton. The feedback revealed that 50% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 50% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Princeton Affordable?

Is Princeton affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Princeton, the median home price is 14% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 47.4% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Princeton boasting a median household income of $117,482, 44.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Princeton?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Princeton, the utilities index is 12.8% higher than the national average.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Princeton, the transportation index is 0.9% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Princeton starts at 6.25% and the income tax rates start at 0%.

Where is the Data From?

The Princeton cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Princeton is 22% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Princeton is 13% higher than the national average
  • Princeton housing is 24% higher than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Princeton

See all the best places to live around Princeton

Compare Princeton, TX 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$121,209$10,101$2,828$3,637
      Renters$76,596$6,383$1,787$2,298
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Princeton, TX, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Princeton, the median monthly income is $121,209 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,828 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $76,596, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,787 on monthly rental expenses.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Texas 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Princeton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.25$27.6212.2%
      Beauty Salon $72.82$51.1142.5%
      Toothpaste $4.11$4.090.4%
      Shampoo $1.62$1.545.1%
      Movie $13.77$12.886.9%
      Yoga $20.72$19.665.4%

      Groceries

      Item Princeton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.12$7.707.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.55$1.666.8%
      Milk $4.50$4.734.9%
      Potatoes $5.51$5.264.8%
      Pizza $11.68$12.768.5%
      Beer $11.14$10.555.6%

      Health Care

      Item Princeton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $160.92$140.0614.9%
      Doctor $133.69$153.8213.1%
      Dentist $177.45$123.1544.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.69$11.730.4%
      Lipitor $28.85$23.6122.2%

      Housing

      Item Princeton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $372,211.00$326,622.0014.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,762.91$2,480.2511.4%
      Apartment Rent $2,129.00$1,444.0047.4%

      Transportation

      Item Princeton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.77$3.069.5%
      Tire Balancing $82.51$65.2126.5%

      Utilities

      Item Princeton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $259.77$220.1218.0%
      Phone $205.01$195.714.8%
      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.
      St. Paul CDP, TX6088713.0%
      St. Paul, TX1,4078712.9%
      Blue Ridge, TX8611032.6%
      Westminster, TX7861043.9%
      Josephine, TX1,5371087.8%
      Princeton, TX12,57811312.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Holly Hill, FL12,579955.4%
      Harrison, WI12,5791065.6%
      Mays Chapel, MD12,57313635.7%
      Ottawa, KS12,5729010.0%
      Santaquin, UT12,5861098.8%
      Princeton, TX12,57811312.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.