D-
26%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
75%
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 Westchester Florida National
Cost of living12698100
Goods & Services10698100
Groceries10499100
Health care9696100
Housing17596100
Transportation10399100
Utilities10397100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Westchester, FL

Knowing the cost of living in Westchester 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 Westchester stands at 126, marking it 26% higher than the national average.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Westchester is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Westchester falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Westchester, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 75.4% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is Westchester Affordable?

Is Westchester 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 Westchester is 87% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 48.3% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Westchester has a median household income of $62,437, which is 12.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Westchester?

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: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Westchester, the utilities index stands at 2.8% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Westchester, the transportation index is 2.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Westchester 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 Westchester is 29% higher than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in Westchester is 26% higher than the national average
  • Westchester housing is 75% 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 Westchester

See all the best places to live around Westchester

Compare Westchester, FL Cost of Living

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      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$76,586$6,382$1,787$2,298
      Renters$41,911$3,493$978$1,257
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Westchester, 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 Westchester have a median income of $76,586. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,787 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $41,911, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $978.

      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 Westchester National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.53$24.2615.4%
      Beauty Salon $88.07$45.5693.3%
      Toothpaste $3.51$3.705.2%
      Shampoo $1.53$1.2819.7%
      Movie $14.35$12.1318.2%
      Bowling $23.67$18.0031.5%

      Groceries

      Item Westchester National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.11$5.844.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.40$1.5711.2%
      Milk $4.60$4.671.5%
      Potatoes $5.24$4.936.2%
      Pizza $14.13$12.0916.9%
      Beer $11.44$10.419.9%

      Health Care

      Item Westchester National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $98.49$125.6821.6%
      Doctor $127.08$135.786.4%
      Dentist $107.83$113.294.8%
      Ibuprofen $11.10$10.654.2%
      Lipitor $490.35$468.604.6%

      Housing

      Item Westchester National avg. Difference
      Home Price $345,400.00$184,700.0087.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,109.00$2,346.6932.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,407.00$949.0048.3%

      Transportation

      Item Westchester National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.49$3.460.8%
      Tire Balancing $64.09$59.927.0%

      Utilities

      Item Westchester National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $200.94$193.993.6%
      Phone $194.37$192.251.1%
      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.
      Medley, FL1,0538712.6%
      Gladeview, FL13,490981.8%
      Opa-locka, FL16,0081010.7%
      West Little River, FL32,2931033.3%
      Brownsville, FL17,4751055.1%
      Westchester, FL54,47012625.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Anderson, IN54,4768515.0%
      Albany, OR54,44211010.0%
      Burlington, NC54,5348911.0%
      Yucaipa, CA54,35812828.2%
      Decatur, AL54,3448811.9%
      Westchester, FL54,47012625.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.