Cost of Living Index

This is the Census Bureau’s 2010 Cost of living Index. When interpreting the Census Bureau’s cost of living index keep in mind that 100 is the national average. Also consider that the data in this formula doesn’t factor in inflation and that the pricing data is for a single point in time.

The Composite index measures overall cost of living. So for example if you multiple each Index item’s value by the indexes weight value and add all 6 indexes together the result would be the composite index percentage.

So let take Akron’s cost of living index and use it as an example. The Grocery index is 105.1 and the indexes weight is 13%. 105.1 * .13 = 13.663. So basically you perform this calculation on all items in the index and add them together.

Cost of living by state- Compare Low Cost of Living in Good Job Markets

The economic downturn has prompted many folks to cut corners. Whether it is spending less at the grocery store or cutting off the cable, people are trying to ride out the storm in hopes that a better day is not too far beyond the horizon. When comes to the cost of living by state this is a common thread.

I can’t help but to notice the culture shift from spending to conserving. Only a few generations removed from the depression era, we have forgotten how prosperity can turn to calamity on a dime. Gone are the snickers at our grandparent’s thriftiness. What remains is a hangover from the economic boom that will surely bring sobriety to the next generation.

With the cost of living by state on the rise and jobs on the decline, many citizens are relocating to different areas in search of a higher quality of life for their money.

So what states offer the best paying jobs with the lowest cost of living? The following are comparisons between states with low cost of living in good job markets.

Iowa

Although their job market is down Iowa is taking steps to combat this, Cedar Rapids recently had a job fair featuring an impressive 72 employers looking to hire. Iowa also is receiving recognition for its clean energy job creation. The EDA awarded the Green Project 1 million dollars for encouraging green energy job creation. This is a huge factor when comparing the cost of living by state. And makes Iowa a great choice for people looking for work in alternative energy.

Utah

Utah is a no brainer for those looking for greener pastures with a medium home price of $129,000 and a job market that ranks in the top 5 nationwide. Most impressively Utah is creating jobs at a pace of 2.9% adding 35,000 jobs in a 12 month period.

Texas

Low cost of living can be found in many states but without a solid job market it is a non-factor. This is why Texas ranks at the very top of our list. Their economy has recovered much faster than the rest of the nation. Impressively the state of Texas has recovered 88% of the jobs it lost due to the recession, in stark contrast to the rest of the nation which has only recovered 22%. And as an added bonus, the medium price in Texas is $144,000. The only negative for Texas is their extremely high sales and property taxes.

Compare Cost of  living – The Rising Cost of living

When we make a cost of living Comparison for the nation as a whole it is clear  all states are suffering. Despite efforts by the Federal Reserve to bring increasing prices under control, consumer prices climbed twice as fast in July as they did in June.
Inflation is running at an annual rate of 4.8 percent. This is the highest rate of increase since 1991.
This increase of living is effecting everything from apartment rent to Food.
The Federal Reserve suspended its series of interest rate increases
in hopes that this would cause inflation to subside. Central bank policy makers along and consumers alike are praying this will temper the steady climb of inflation we have been experiencing this year. Experts say the economy is slowing because of past interest rate increasing and should continue to do so over the course of next year and beyond. They state the goal is to slow the economy enough to weaken inflation while avoiding a nation wide recession.
But they are unsure whether or not more interest rate increases will be needed to complete the task. Recent data provides reasons for concern about inflation. A widely followed inflation gauge called the Labor Department’s consumer price index, rose 0.4 percent in July and doubled its 0.2 percent increase the month before. The index rose 4.1 percent in 12 months. Compared with a 3.4 percent increase for all of last year.
A 2.9 percent jump in energy prices last month accounted for much of the inflation. Crude oil prices topped out at $77.03 a barrel July 14,
which caused gasoline prices to exceed $3 a gallon across much of the nation. Prices have slowly dropped since. Prices rose for many other items, however, suggesting to economists that inflation is fanned by rising energy costs. Food and energy prices rose 0.2 percent in July and was up 2.7 percent for the 12 months ended in July, the highest yearly increase since late 1991.
Due to the fact that unemployment is low and wages are rising we don’t see inflation subsiding anytime soon.

The Cost Of Home Ownership

A good education leads to a great-paying career; job security affords the dream of owning your own home becoming a reality. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Once upon a time, that was more than likely an achievable dream. These days, however, with housing costs devouring about 70% of an individual’s gross income, keeping a roof over one’s head may be the most we can do… never mind owning the house! Being employed, does not offer the same security to families that it did during our grandparent’s era.The cost of living by state is not compatible with surging home prices; health care; property taxes; insurance; education… and, on and on, and on. After you have paid the excessive amount of income required in order to live in your own house there is not much left over for necessities (let alone life’s little luxuries) Housing crosses the threshold of being unaffordable when you are spending 30% or more of your “before tax-income;” yet almost 40% of U.S. homeowners with a mortgage are living that reality. And, over 7 million households are spending
50% of their gross monthly income on covering their home loan, and basics, like utilities. It would appear that the strain of owning your own home is inevitable. Existing homeowners with adjustable rate mortgage should expect to see an increase in their monthly mortgage, especially once the initial fixed-rate period ends. And, those homeowners who want to sell or re-finance will find it more difficult to get a loan now that the real estate market is softening, and the mortgage industry is plagued with problems.

Cities like Stockton, and Long Beach, in California, and Miami and Fort Lauderdale in Florida seem to have the highest percentage of homeowners paying between 30% – 50% of their incomes on housing.With a population of 300,000 in Stockton, California, to date there have been over 8,000 foreclosures in the past 8 months! If you are a potential homeowner educate yourself about the market. Learn about adjustable rates, refinancing, and prepayment penalties.Having a dream is a necessity in order to achieve goals;
home ownership should not become a stigma attainable only by a select few.Don’t let your dream become a living nightmare! Own a home; but only if you can afford it!

Reduce Your Cost of Living Consolidate your Debt

Worrying over you debts wont help you. You should rather fight out this adverse situation with conviction and a right approach. Debt management can solve your problem. Some of the most popular ways to avoid being declared a bankrupt is to get an administration order from the court, consolidate your debts, or make an individual voluntary arrangement. An administration order is issued by a court and it allows you to make a single payment every month to the court. The court, after deducting an administration fee, divides this money between your creditors. However, administration order can be taken only when your debts are less than $5,000. This limits your options if you have more debts.

Debt consolidation loans, on the other hand, do not pose such a restriction as in the case of an administration order. There are many lenders in the UK who may give you up to $250,000 if you are ready to pledge your home. Debt consolidation Loans can be unsecured also. In that case, you can get up to $25,000 only. That too depends on your monthly income and repayment capability. If a debt consolidation loan is sanctioned, you can repay your existing lenders. It will convert all your debts into one single debt, requiring a single repayment per month. It is a relief when you are deep down in debts and your lenders are asking you to repay their money. However, it is important to note that debt consolidation loans provide you a temporary relief only so that you can repay your existing lenders. The overall outstanding debt remains the same as earlier. Debt consolidation loans provide you with an opportunity to recover by lowering your monthly bills. You can extend the repayment period, thereby bringing down your monthly repayments. In the meantime, you can get time to recover financially.These loans provide you a much needed breather.

A Cost of Living Comparison by State

The following article compares taxes by state. If you are looking to decrease your cost of living move to either Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire or Oregon these state don’t collect sales tax. When we compare living cost by taxes this is significant. States with the highest sales taxes are: California (7.25%), Mississippi (7.0%), New Jersey (7.0%), Tennessee (7.0%), Rhode Island (7.0%), Minnesota (6.5%), Nevada (6.5%), and Washington (6.5%).

Fuel Taxes – Every state with out exception tax on fuel. While every state will very due to country and local governments and their taxation’s.

Cigarette Tax – The cost of living for smokers is very high in every state but New Jersey, Rhode Island Washington are the highest in the U.S.
The federal taxation of cigarettes is .45 cents per pack.

Personal Income Tax- Seven states (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming) do not tax personal income. View Hampshire and Tennessee apply it only to income from interest and dividends.