Good News for Tallahassee-Leon County
Cost of Living Index Shows Tallahassee-Leon County More Affordable than National Average
June 09, 2017
The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) recently published the first quarter 2017 Cost of Living Index (COLI), which reinforced other available data showing Tallahassee-Leon County as offering a high-quality life at a low cost for residents. The COLI found that the cost of living in Tallahassee-Leon County was competitive within the region and more affordable than the average of the 265 urban areas that participated in the index.
"We have been intentional in positioning Tallahassee as a place where anyone can grow a business, raise a family and enjoy retirement," Mayor Andrew Gillum said. "By repealing the business tax, keeping the millage rate low and embracing a new tech-driven economy, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to making Tallahassee an affordable place to live, work and play."
Covering 60 different items for which prices are collected quarterly by economic development organizations, university applied economic centers and chambers of commerce, the index is organized into six categories of consumer expenditures (grocery items, housing, utilities, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services). Tallahassee-Leon County was 8.9 percent lower than the national average for housing, 4.2 percent lower than the national average for transportation and 14.8 percent lower than the national average for utilities.
The overall Cost of Living in Tallahassee-Leon County was found to be 3.4 percent below the national average.
"For all of us who call Leon County home, and for our many visitors, it's good news that a dollar goes farther in our community," said Leon County Commissioner Chairman John E. Dailey. "We work each day to create and sustain this special place as one which is welcoming, healthy, safe and vibrant. Reports like these help us retain and attract talent, grow our families and sustain a diverse and engaged community."
The Cost of Living Index is a valuable resource when evaluating how a community compares to others across the nation, but it does not tell the entire story. For a broader look at the overall economic health, the Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) provides Tallahassee-Leon County's most comprehensive database of economic indicators, routinely monitoring key economic metrics and current trends and conditions. The data assembled by OEV is available at www.OEVforBusiness.org and in the OEV Quarterly Economic Dashboard. The wide-ranging data provided through these sources includes information as such as private sector job growth, which for 2016 was up 4.3 percent over 2015 levels.
Contact the Office of Economic Vitality for specific data inquiries by calling (850) 219-1060.
### About COLI and C2ER: Since 1968, the Cost of Living Index, published by the Council for Community and Economic Research, has been the most consistent source of city-to-city cost comparisons available. COLI data is recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNN Money and the President's Council of Economic Advisors. Both data and methodology are reviewed by an advisory board composed of academic researchers and government officials. The Cost of Living Index is referenced in the Census Bureau's Statistical Abstract of the U.S.
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