| Index | St. Simons | Georgia | National |
| Cost of living | 125 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 183 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 99 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in St. Simons 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 St. Simons stands at 125, marking it 25% higher than the national average.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, St. Simons 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, St. Simons falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
When it comes to the cost of living in St. Simons, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 83.3% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is St. Simons 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 St. Simons is 103.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 36.9% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. St. Simons has a median household income of $134,762, which is 65.7% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In St. Simons, the groceries index registers 1.3% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In St. Simons, the utilities index registers at 4.3% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In St. Simons, the general sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates begin at 1%.
The cost of living estimates displayed for St. Simons 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.
| 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 | $158,945 | $13,245 | $3,708 | $4,769 |
| Renters | $88,595 | $7,383 | $2,067 | $2,658 |
| 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. |
| Brunswick, GA | 16,817 | 88 | 11.6% |
| Darien, GA | 2,000 | 89 | 10.8% |
| Dock Junction, GA | 7,699 | 91 | 8.6% |
| Country Club Estates, GA | 9,780 | 93 | 7.2% |
| St. Simons, GA | 15,710 | 125 | 24.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Berkley, MI | 15,712 | 105 | 5.3% |
| Glenmont, MD | 15,714 | 142 | 42.3% |
| Kenora, ON | 15,728 | n/a | |
| Americus, GA | 15,729 | 87 | 13.2% |
| Grosse Pointe Woods, MI | 15,731 | 112 | 12.2% |
| St. Simons, GA | 15,710 | 125 | 24.7% |
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