Valdosta, GA Cost Of Living

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Valdosta cost of living index

In the event that the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used. Each cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. If the amount is below 100, it is lower than the national average. If the amount is above 100, it is higher than the national average.
Index	Valdosta	Georgia	National
Cost of living index	88	94	100
Index	Valdosta	Georgia	National
Goods & Services index	92	97	100
Groceries index	105	99	100
Health care index	100	97	100
Housing index	69	86	100
Transportation index	101	97	100
Utilities index	97	93	100

Here we can see a simple outline of the cost of living in Valdosta, GA. As you can see, with the average cost of living in Valdosta, GA being 88, that puts it 6% lower than the average of Georgia and 12% lower than our nation's average. This simple outline of the cost of living index was formulated using prices of: goods and services (weighted 33%), housing prices (weighted 30%), groceries (weighted 13%), utilities (weighted 10%), transportation (weighted 9%), and health care (weighted 5%). Thus, goods/services, along with housing influences the majority of the cost of living index. The price of daily goods and services is a valuable and reliable number to be aware of when considering the general price of the city's goods. In the case of Valdosta, GA, the price of goods and services are 6% lower than the average of Georgia as well as 9% lower than the nation's average.

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Did you know?

The cost of living in Valdosta is 6% lower than the Georgia average.
The cost of living in Valdosta is 12% lower than the national average.
The cost of housing in Valdosta is 31% lower than the national average.
Georgia general sales tax is 21% lower than the national average.
Georgia state income tax is 55% lower than the national average.

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Compare Valdosta, GA Cost of living To Other Cities

Salary Calculator

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Cost of living index
Goods & Services index
Groceries index
Health care index
Housing index
Transportation index
Utilities index

Using the salary calculator lets you compare the salary you earn in Valdosta, GA to what it is in other cities. It will let you know what your earnings would have to be in another city to have the same standard of living, as determined by the cost of living in each city. For example, if the cost of living in the area you want to move to is higher than the cost of living in Valdosta, GA, you have to earn a higher income in order to still have the same standard of living. To operate the Valdosta, GA salary calculator, put in the name of the other city, then move the slider to the point that represents the current income. The salary calculator will take care of the rest and tell you how much more or less you must earn in the new city. A Total breakdown of the cost of living is also provided.

Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

Median Income	Per Year	Per Month	Max Budget (28% DTI)	Max Budget (36% DTI)
Owners	$51,480	$4,290	$1,201	$1,545
Renters	$22,229	$1,852	$519	$667

If you want to find a good determining factor for the cost of living and the general affordability of housing in Valdosta, GA, all you must look at 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 Valdosta, GA, the median monthly income is $51,480 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,201 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $22,229, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $519 on monthly rental expenses.

Georgia Sales Tax

State	General Sales Tax	With Max Surtax
Georgia	4%	8%

Georgia Income Tax

State	Income Tax (Low)	Income Tax (High)
Georgia	1%	6%

When you are determining the total cost of living in Valdosta, GA you will want to make sure you consider both the Georgia sales tax and the Georgia income tax rates. Sales tax come in the form of taxes levied on both services and goods that are sold. The sales tax rates are different state to state and range from zero sales tax to higher than 7%. The sales tax in Georgia is 4%, with the highest surtax being 8%. Tax that is on income by the government is income tax. Different states have different income tax rates and these rates can be higher or lower dependent on the corresponding tax bracket. The state income tax rates are different state to state and range from no income tax to more than 9% income tax. The income tax rates in Georgia have a range from 1% to 6%.

Goods & Services

Item	Valdosta	National avg.	Difference
Haircut	$13.50	$17.49	22.8%
Beauty Salon	$43.00	$38.17	12.7%
Toothpaste	$1.98	$2.32	14.7%
Shampoo	$1.00	$1.01	1.2%
Movie	$11.50	$10.72	7.2%
Bowling	$8.00	$13.86	42.3%

Groceries

Item	Valdosta	National avg.	Difference
Ground Beef	$4.68	$3.90	20.0%
Fried Chicken	$1.59	$1.40	13.9%
Milk	$2.48	$1.96	26.4%
Potatoes	$4.48	$3.18	40.7%
Pizza	$9.49	$10.39	8.7%
Beer	$8.66	$9.23	6.2%

Health Care

Item	Valdosta	National avg.	Difference
Optometrist	$113.00	$106.34	6.3%
Doctor	$117.50	$115.25	2.0%
Dentist	$90.67	$98.38	7.8%
Ibuprofen	$10.19	$9.26	10.0%
Lipitor	$498.86	$466.47	6.9%

Housing

Item	Valdosta	National avg.	Difference
Home Price	$121,000.00	$184,700.00	34.5%
Avg. Mortgage Payment	$1,027.06	$1,273.32	19.3%
Apartment Rent	$732.00	$949.00	22.9%

Transportation

Item	Valdosta	National avg.	Difference
Gasoline	$2.51	$2.59	3.3%
Tire Balancing	$54.98	$48.90	12.4%

Utilities

Item	Valdosta	National avg.	Difference
All Electricity	$160.47	$167.60	4.3%
Phone	$180.90	$163.42	10.7%

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, State	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
Morven, GA	539	79	-21%
Lakeland, GA	3,348	80	-20%
Cecil, GA	351	84	-16%
Remerton, GA	1,245	86	-14%
Hahira, GA	2,877	88	-12%
Valdosta, GA	56,717	88	-12%

Cities with similar population

City, State	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
Fountain Valley, CA	56,670	166	66%
Oak Lawn, IL	56,774	106	6%
Santee, CA	56,839	135	35%
Brentwood, CA	56,923	146	46%
Taunton, MA	56,504	115	15%
Valdosta, GA	56,717	88	-12%

Source: The Valdosta, GA cost of living data displayed above is derived from the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) for 2019.

Valdosta, GA Cost of Living