Cost Of Living By State
Cost
of living Comparisons
Texas- Texas Cost Of Living
Texas Real Estate Apartment Rent
Texas Ranks 2nd in overall cost of living. You can get a lot of house for
your money in Texas!
California- Cost Of Living In California Real Estate Apartment
Rent
Ranking almost dead last at 49th, living in California
is not exactly a cost effective venture.
Florida- Florida Cost Of Living Apartment Rent
# 35 in the index out of states with the
highest cost of living.
Hawaii-
Hawaii Cost Of Living Apartment Rent
Hawaii is well
above the national average in every category.
New
York- Cost Of Living New York Apartment
Rent
Ranked in the top 10 in all major US cost of
living categories.
Washington- Cost Of Living Washington Apartment
Rent
Washington has the second highest cost
for housing in the nation.
Chicago-Cost
Of Living Chicago Apartment Rent
Chicago ranks well when compared to the national
average
General Statistics - 2007 cost of living statistics
- Most
Affordable Cities Apartment Rent By City
Resources -
Cost Of
Living Calculators
Articles- How to Avoid Bad Home
Loans How to Find Bank Foreclosed Real
Estate
Featured Articles:The Rising Cost of living
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.
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 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 un-affordable 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 pre-payment 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 won?t 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. Taxes by state Sales Tax- 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.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 exeption tax on fuel. While every state will very due to country and local goverments and their taxations. 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. New Hampshire and Tennessee apply it only to income from interest and dividends.