Helpful Tips, Random Thoughts
Moving to a New City? Check the Local Cost of Living First
December 29, 2009 by James K Barath, CMPS · Leave a Comment
It’s not only the real estate markets that differ from town to town – the Cost of Living does, too.
Insurance costs, tax bills and just plain, day-to-day living will dent a household budget differently depending on where that household is. It can be a nerve-wracking fact for families moving across state borders.
As an aid for the budget-aware, Bankrate.com keeps a Cost of Living Comparison Calculator on its website. The calculator asks 3 questions: (1) Where do you live now, (2) To where you are moving, and (3) What is your salary. It then spits out a detailed, 58-item cost comparison list between the two cities.
Some of the key costs compared include:
- Everyday groceries
- Energy bills
- Routine healthcare
- Home ownership
- Clothes
- Sporting goods
The Cost of Living Comparison Calculator is thorough, with data culled from the ACCRA. You’ll be surprised at how granular the list can get. On the ACCRA website, you can buy a similar report for $5.
On the Bankrate.com site, the data is free.
Need more expert advice? Ask the team of Certified Mortgage Planning Specialists at Benchmark Mortgage.
About the Author: James K Barath is a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist and your Northwest Indiana FHA Home Loan Expert. He is also a graduate of Purdue University, The CMPS Institute, Dale Carnegie Human Relations Course & Napoleon Hill Foundation's PMA Science of Success Class. It's your home and your future. It's his profession and his passion. He is ready to work for your best interest. Contact James K Barath today and Get Qualified for Your FREE FHA Home Loan Approval!
His Motto: I Facilitate the American Dream Through Responsible Mortgage Lending and Financial Literacy! 
