A+
19%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
51%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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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 Sweetwater Texas National
Cost of living8192100
Goods & Services9396100
Groceries9596100
Health care9394100
Housing4983100
Transportation9492100
Utilities103104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Sweetwater, TX

Understanding the cost of living in Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater cost of living index is 81, which is 19% 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.

Sweetwater housing costs are 50.6% less than the national average, making this area an affordable place to live. Your net income can be heavily impacted by housing expenses, at times exceeding 30%. Fortunately, this area demonstrates that both homeownership and renting costs are significantly more budget-friendly than in the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, Sweetwater residents can earmark a more manageable portion of their income to housing.

Is Sweetwater Affordable?

Is Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater, for instance, where the median home price falls 62.5% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 22.9% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Sweetwater flaunting a median household income of $40,577, 26.7% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sweetwater?

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 Sweetwater, the utilities index is 3.3% higher than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Sweetwater, the housing index is 50.6% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Sweetwater, healthcare costs are 6.8% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Sweetwater 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Sweetwater is 12% lower than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Sweetwater is 19% lower than the national average
  • Sweetwater housing is 51% lower 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 Sweetwater

See all the best places to live around Sweetwater

Compare Sweetwater, 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$47,054$3,921$1,098$1,412
      Renters$31,189$2,599$728$936
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Sweetwater, 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 Sweetwater, the median monthly income is $47,054 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,098 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $31,189, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $728 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 Sweetwater National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.33$24.2625.0%
      Beauty Salon $31.44$45.5631.0%
      Toothpaste $3.66$3.701.1%
      Shampoo $1.19$1.287.1%
      Movie $10.26$12.1315.5%
      Bowling $15.22$18.0015.4%

      Groceries

      Item Sweetwater National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.46$5.846.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.2%
      Milk $4.51$4.673.4%
      Potatoes $4.88$4.931.2%
      Pizza $12.69$12.095.0%
      Beer $10.46$10.410.5%

      Health Care

      Item Sweetwater National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $141.52$125.6812.6%
      Doctor $117.53$135.7813.4%
      Dentist $115.28$113.291.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.09$10.655.3%
      Lipitor $377.45$468.6019.5%

      Housing

      Item Sweetwater National avg. Difference
      Home Price $69,300.00$184,700.0062.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,061.92$2,346.6912.1%
      Apartment Rent $732.00$949.0022.9%

      Transportation

      Item Sweetwater National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.13$3.469.6%
      Tire Balancing $61.81$59.923.1%

      Utilities

      Item Sweetwater National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $193.23$193.990.4%
      Phone $209.24$192.258.8%
      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.
      Roscoe, TX1,5388218.5%
      Sweetwater, TX10,6018118.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cordele, GA10,6008118.6%
      South Yarmouth, MA10,59813030.2%
      Lake Barcroft, VA10,60416968.6%
      Greentree, NJ10,59712828.2%
      Broomall, PA10,60812626.3%
      Sweetwater, TX10,6018118.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.