Total annual household expenditures averaged $66,928 in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For instance, it’ll cost you considerably less to live in Fort Smith, Arkansas compared to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Īs you shop for a home in different cities and towns, crunch the numbers using our cost of living calculator to see how your total cost of living expenses vary.
Not surprisingly, cost of living varies widely from place to place.
Whether you’re looking for a fresh start on an opposite coast, heading to a new region for work or moving closer to family, cost of living will play a big role in how much house you can afford while maintaining your desired standard of living.īesides your monthly mortgage payments and other housing costs, being able to afford a home also requires enough money to cover a host of other ongoing expenses, such as food, transportation, taxes, utilities, healthcare, childcare and entertainment.