| Index | Rome | New York | National |
| Cost of living | 96 | 121 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 106 | 100 |
| Health care | 108 | 110 | 100 |
| Housing | 64 | 144 | 100 |
| Transportation | 113 | 113 | 100 |
| Utilities | 111 | 112 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 107 | 111 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 106 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 118 | 118 | 100 |

Understanding the cost of living in Rome can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Rome cost of living index is 96, which is 4% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Rome 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.
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 Rome. 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 Rome an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Rome is 43.3% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 18.8% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Rome has a median household income of $76,859, which is 5.5% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Rome, the transportation index stands at 13.4% higher than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Rome, the housing index stands at 35.9% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
The Rome cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as 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 | $98,721 | $8,227 | $2,303 | $2,962 |
| Renters | $47,237 | $3,936 | $1,102 | $1,417 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| New York | 4% | 8.875% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| New York | 4% | 10.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Westmoreland, NY | 511 | 110 | 9.6% |
| Whitesboro, NY | 3,707 | 95 | 4.6% |
| Chadwicks, NY | 1,163 | 96 | 4.4% |
| Utica, NY | 61,299 | 96 | 4.2% |
| Camden, NY | 2,618 | 95 | 4.6% |
| Rome, NY | 33,399 | 96 | 4.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Woodstock, GA | 33,394 | 113 | 13.0% |
| Statesboro, GA | 33,360 | 90 | 9.5% |
| Laramie, WY | 33,442 | 103 | 3.0% |
| St. Charles, IL | 33,452 | 118 | 17.6% |
| Uniondale, NY | 33,340 | 140 | 40.1% |
| Rome, NY | 33,399 | 96 | 4.1% |