Cost of Living in Decatur, AL
| Cost of Living in Decatur, AL | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 5% lower | 33% lower |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 11% lower | 6% lower |
| Food | 2% lower | 4% lower |
| Healthcare | 19% lower | 22% lower |
| Transportation | 7% lower | 10% lower |
| Goods & Services | 1% lower | 10% lower |
The cost of living in Decatur, AL is 5% lower than the state average and 16% lower than the national average. Decatur, AL housing is 33% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 6% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 4% cheaper in Decatur, AL than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 10% less .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 22% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 10% cheaper in Decatur, AL.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Decatur is $950, while home prices circle around $355,505.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Decatur, energy bills cost around $171.29 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.51 in Decatur, a dozen eggs go for around $3.02 and a pound of potatoes circles around $5.13.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Decatur, an optometry check-up costs around $91.89, while a dentist appointment is priced $93.22 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $2.99 in Decatur, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $57.33.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $50.96 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $35.50.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Decatur, you should budget around $11.32 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $17.33, while dry cleaning costs about $13.00.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Decatur, the median household income is $59,831.