A+
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
13%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; 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 Sebastian Florida National
Cost of living10298100
Goods & Services9398100
Groceries9999100
Health care9796100
Housing11396100
Transportation9899100
Utilities10997100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Sebastian, FL

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Sebastian is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Sebastian is 102, which is 2% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

The cost of living in Sebastian aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Sebastian residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

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

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 10 residents in Sebastian to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 60% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 40% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Sebastian Affordable?

Is Sebastian 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 Sebastian, the median home price is 8.7% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 21.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Sebastian boasting a median household income of $54,986, 0.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sebastian?

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 Sebastian, the transportation index is 2% lower than the national average.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Sebastian, the utilities index registers 8.7% higher than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Sebastian, the housing index is 12.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Sebastian 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. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

New Real Estate Listings in Sebastian Area
Search Homes for Sale in Sebastian, FL

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Sebastian is 5% higher than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in Sebastian is 2% higher than the national average
  • Sebastian housing is 13% higher than the national average
  • Florida general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Florida state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Sebastian

See all the best places to live around Sebastian

Compare Sebastian, FL Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Sebastian?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Sebastian?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Sebastian poll results

      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$57,439$4,787$1,340$1,723
      Renters$40,625$3,385$948$1,219
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Sebastian, FL, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Sebastian have a median income of $57,439. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,340 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $40,625, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $948.

      Florida Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Florida 6% 7.5%

      Florida Income Tax

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

      Goods & Services

      Item Sebastian National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.00$24.2613.4%
      Beauty Salon $56.83$45.5624.7%
      Toothpaste $3.68$3.700.6%
      Shampoo $1.32$1.283.1%
      Movie $13.10$12.137.9%
      Bowling $14.75$18.0018.1%

      Groceries

      Item Sebastian National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.85$5.840.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.45$1.578.0%
      Milk $4.52$4.673.2%
      Potatoes $5.38$4.939.0%
      Pizza $12.62$12.094.4%
      Beer $10.69$10.412.6%

      Health Care

      Item Sebastian National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $78.20$125.6837.8%
      Doctor $139.80$135.783.0%
      Dentist $132.83$113.2917.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.32$10.653.1%
      Lipitor $526.92$468.6012.4%

      Housing

      Item Sebastian National avg. Difference
      Home Price $200,700.00$184,700.008.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,007.04$2,346.6914.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,156.00$949.0021.8%

      Transportation

      Item Sebastian National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.45$3.460.5%
      Tire Balancing $54.85$59.928.5%

      Utilities

      Item Sebastian National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $144.67$193.9925.4%
      Phone $196.14$192.252.0%
      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.
      Windsor, FL377982.4%
      Fellsmere, FL5,6928812.2%
      Gifford, FL4,4818812.1%
      Micco, FL8,9908811.7%
      West Vero Corridor, FL10,5078911.1%
      Sebastian, FL25,6131022.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lochearn, MD25,6121088.1%
      Ruskin, FL25,640991.4%
      Fairland, MD25,64913231.7%
      Madison, MS25,65011010.2%
      Moscow, ID25,6521087.5%
      Sebastian, FL25,6131022.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.