The Cost of Living in Pensacola, FL Breakdown

One of the best places to live in Florida, Pensacola is also a fantastic town for families of all sizes. If you’re moving to this lovely Gulf Coast city, you’ll be pleased to know it’s rated very highly. Pensacola is the #2 Best Place to Live in Escambia County! As a future Pensacola resident, knowing the cost of living here is essential, especially the major cost indices.

The Cost of Living in Pensacola, FL Breakdown

Cost index data can help you make critical decisions, like where to live and what house to purchase in Pensacola. To help you, we’ve gathered information on the six major cost indices you’ll encounter when you live here. If that’s the actionable info about Pensacola, FL, you’re looking for today, read on.

Interested in our sources? We took data from the 2021 US Census, Best Places, and Nerd Wallet to estimate the most accurate costs of living in Grand Prairie, TX. We know these numbers may not always match your personal experience, but we do our best to give you a ballpark of what you can expect to pay in each category. If you have a different opinion, feel free to share it in the comments below! Now, on to the good stuff!

The Cost of Living in Pensacola is Affordable

Overall, we’re 13% more affordable than other cities.

The average family will save 13% overall on their living expenses in Pensacola, FL. While that might not seem substantial, saving 13% on anything is always good news. A 13% savings on a $400 car payment equals $52, which is nothing to sneeze at! Truth be told, though, the significant reason for Pensacola’s affordability is its surprisingly low housing costs. (More on those in just a moment.) If you look at miscellaneous and utility expenses, they’re higher than the national average. Still, saving 13% on your monthly bills equals significant savings, making it a great reason to live in Pensacola, FL.

The Cost of Living in Pensacola, FL Breakdown

Cost of Groceries: Fair

Grocery costs are 3% less than average living in Pensacola.

One of the most significant expenses for most families is the cost of groceries, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and so forth. In Pensacola, you’ll pay 3% less for your groceries than the average American. That, to be sure, is not a significant saving. Every little bit helps, though, when it comes to paying your monthly bills. Paying 3% less for groceries might not be huge, but it’s certainly better than paying 3% more.

Healthcare Costs: Fair

Healthcare cost living in Pensacola is 3% lower than average.

As with groceries, healthcare costs in Pensacola are 3% lower than the national average. As we’ve mentioned, that is not a massive amount of savings. However, if you have young children and visit the doctor often, it can add up. A 3% savings on your prescriptions and exams can make a small but significant difference as a retiree.

The Cost of Living in Pensacola, FL Breakdown

Housing Costs: Affordable

Housing costs 40% less than average living in Pensacola.

Here is where Pensacola, FL shines! Our housing prices, including buying a home or renting an apartment, are genuinely affordable. Our cost index of 63/100 means houses here are nearly 40% less than the American average, significant savings indeed. The median home cost in Pensacola, Florida, is 183,800. That’s over $100,000 less than the national average of $291,700. It’s even better when you look at the average in Florida, which is $294,900! In other words, you’ll be able to afford a bigger home for less when you live in Pensacola. For many American families, that’s a dream come true!

MOVING TIP: Reserving a storage unit in Pensacola, FL, could save you a lot of money. The reason why is simple; moving companies charge a lot more than self-storage facilities for storing household goods. Plus, unlike a mover, you can access your storage unit (and thus access your things) whenever you like.

Utility Costs: Expensive

Utilities are 5% higher than average living in Pensacola.

Another significant cost for most homeowners is utility costs, which vary wildly depending on where you live. In Pensacola, the weather is typically hot and humid, compelling the need for constant air conditioning. That demand for constant A/C can, of course, significantly increase your monthly utility bills. On the other hand, Pensacola rarely sees snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Actually, we rarely see cold weather of any kind, which means you’ll barely use your home’s heating system.

Transportation Costs: Affordable

Transportation costs are 10% lower than average living in Pensacola.

With a one-way commute time under 20 minutes, it’s no surprise that transportation costs in Pensacola, FL are affordable. With a cost index of 90/100, you’ll save 10% on things like gas, car repairs, maintenance, and transportation fees. Also, since we never use salt on our roads, your car will last much longer. (Take that, New York metro area!) After our low housing costs, our transportation costs are the second-lowest index in Pensacola. That’s great news for anyone who commutes to work every day and wants to keep their driving expenses low.

The Cost of Living in Pensacola, FL Breakdown

Miscellaneous Items: Expensive

Miscellaneous costs are 5% higher than average living in Pensacola.

Today’s last major cost index is miscellaneous items, which will set you back 5% more in Pensacola. While not a huge difference over the national average, 5% can still add up. It depends on how often, for example, get a manicure, a haircut, or purchase new clothing. If you’re big into electronics, paying 5% more for them can be frustrating. (New phones already cost too much, thank you.)

Find Storage Units in Pensacola, FL

Pensacola, FL, is an Affordable American City!

After seeing all our cost of living in Pensacola, FL indexes today, we think you’ll agree; Pensacola, FL is affordable. Our housing prices are simply phenomenal, and most of the rest are less than the national average.

If you’re moving here soon and don’t have a home or apartment yet, iStorage can help. We’re the self-storage leaders in Florida with clean, safe Pensacola, FL storage units on-hand. You can reserve a Pensacola storage unit online in mere minutes, and it will be ready when you arrive.

If you have questions about self-storage in Pensacola, FL, you can chat with us online at your leisure. You can also visit our self-storage location in Pensacola and meet the on-site manager. They can help you choose the correct storage unit to fit your things perfectly. Of course, you can store all sorts of other stuff with iStorage, including boats and fishing gear! (Many folks in Pensacola who own boats do just that!)

Until then, we wish you the very best with your move to this beautiful part of the Gulf Coast. We’re sure that, once you’re settled in, you’ll wonder why you didn’t move to Pensacola years ago!


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