10 Most and Least Expensive Urban Areas in the Cost of Living Index
05 Nov, 2012
Among the 304 urban areas that participated in the third quarter 2012 Cost of Living Index, the after-tax cost for a professional/managerial standard of living ranged from more than twice the national average in New York (Manhattan) NY to just more than 20 percent below the national average in Harlingen, Texas.
The Cost of Living Index is published quarterly by C2ER – The Council for Community and Economic Research.
Least Expensive
National Average for 304 Urban Areas = 100
1. Harlingen, Texas=79.5
2. Norman, Okla.=80.9
3. Ardmore, Okla.=84.2
4. Pueblo, Colo.=85.1
5. Memphis, Tenn.=85.6
For complete details, and the rest of the top five, visit www.crec.net.
The composite index is based on six component categories – housing, utilities, grocery items,
transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services.
