| Index | Scottdale | Georgia | National |
| Cost of living | 107 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 126 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 102 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 95 | 99 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Scottdale 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 Scottdale cost of living index is 107, which is 7% higher 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.
In Scottdale, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Scottdale will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Scottdale 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 26% 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 Scottdale 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 Scottdale, for instance, where the median home price falls 27.5% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 22.6% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Scottdale flaunting a median household income of $96,568, 18.7% higher than the national norm.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
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 Scottdale, the utilities index is 1.7% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Scottdale, healthcare costs are 1.1% lower than the national average.
The Scottdale 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 | $155,370 | $12,948 | $3,625 | $4,662 |
| Renters | $75,635 | $6,303 | $1,765 | $2,269 |
| 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. |
| Lakeview Estates, GA | 2,627 | 79 | 20.8% |
| Forest Park, GA | 20,312 | 87 | 13.5% |
| Conley, GA | 6,867 | 88 | 12.1% |
| Lake City, GA | 2,897 | 91 | 9.2% |
| Lithonia, GA | 2,552 | 91 | 8.9% |
| Scottdale, GA | 11,547 | 107 | 6.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Haysville, KS | 11,544 | 88 | 11.6% |
| Guttenberg, NJ | 11,557 | 129 | 28.6% |
| Newport East, RI | 11,557 | 126 | 26.3% |
| Ionia, MI | 11,533 | 88 | 11.6% |
| Travilah, MD | 11,528 | 226 | 125.8% |
| Scottdale, GA | 11,547 | 107 | 6.9% |
Here are the best places to live in Georgia
These are the largest cities in Georgia
See the best places to live in Scottdale
Check out the 10 safest cities in Georgia