As the snowflakes begin to dance in the Colorado sky, the allure of a cozy winter retreat home becomes irresistible. Nestled amidst the Rocky Mountains, Colorado offers a picturesque backdrop for those dreaming of a winter haven. Whether you’re envisioning weekends filled with skiing, sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace, or simply relishing the serene beauty of a winter wonderland, purchasing a winter retreat in Colorado can turn those dreams into reality.
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To help you navigate this exciting journey, we’ve compiled a list of 5 essential tips to consider when buying your cozy haven in the Centennial State.
Location, Location, Location
The quintessential factor in choosing your retreat is location. Colorado boasts a variety of settings, from bustling ski resort towns like Aspen and Vail to quieter, more secluded areas like Telluride and Steamboat Springs. Consider how close you want to be to ski resorts, and local amenities, and whether a remote, tranquil setting or a more lively, community-oriented area suits you better.
Understand the Climate and Terrain
Colorado’s winter can be both magical and harsh. Understanding the local climate and terrain is crucial. Elevated regions experience more substantial snowfall, affecting accessibility and necessitating enhanced winter maintenance. Take Aspen, for instance; during winter, temperature highs hover around 40°F, while summers bring milder temperatures, reaching or exceeding 70°F. Understanding these details guarantees your retreat is not just a sanctuary but a robust haven, prepared for Colorado’s diverse climate.
Inspect for Winter-Readiness
When inspecting potential properties, focus on elements that enhance your winter stay. Seek efficient heating systems, quality insulation, double-glazed windows, and a well-maintained roof. A fireplace not only adds aesthetic charm but also serves as a practical necessity.
Consider Accessibility
In your quest for a snug winter retreat in Colorado, prioritize accessibility, especially during the snowy months. Evaluate the property’s ease of access in heavy snowfalls, ensuring the road to your haven is well-maintained. Additionally, factor in the convenience of airports or major roads for frequent trips or anticipated visits.
Rental Potential
If you’re contemplating using your winter home on a seasonal basis, explore its potential for rental income. Properties in sought-after ski resort areas often present lucrative rental opportunities. Investigate local regulations and market demands to estimate the potential income from rentals. For instance, in Vail, the demand for winter accommodations is consistently high. Nestled within the majestic Colorado Rockies, Vail attracts winter enthusiasts from around the world seeking not only world-class skiing but also the charming ambiance of a mountain resort town.
Are you looking for a new home in Colorado? Give us a call today! One of our experienced real estate agents is more than happy to help you find the home that is right for you!
Manifestation practices—or rather, the routines and rituals you can use to turn your thoughts into reality—can luckily be done anywhere. But as someone who has a soft spot for interiors and is hyper-aware of her surroundings (I am a home and living writer after all!), I believe that your living space plays a crucial part in supporting your dreams. Whether you live in a tiny dorm room or your very own dream home, your environment can help keep you focused, calm, and positive—which is key to achieving your goals.
To learn more about the link between our homes and manifestation, I chatted with manifestation expert Haley Hoffman Smith, and her tips are sure to get your creative ideas flowing. If you’re ready to level up your living space, here’s how to make sure your home supports your ideal lifestyle and the best version of you.
1. Start with gratitude and appreciation.
“You can manifest anywhere at any time, and so much of it is about appreciating where you are,” Hoffman Smith said. Practicing gratitude for what you already have is a huge part of manifestation, and if you’re struggling with where to begin, start with the roof over your head. Even if you’re not living in your dream home (yet!), focus on the things you love about your current space and express your appreciation for them. Whether you simply look around your space and make mental notes or write your thoughts down in a journal, having gratitude for your current home will help you stay positive and uplifted.
Hoffman Smith, for instance, moved into her dream New York City apartment a few years ago, but before that, she was living in a modest home in Colorado. “I focused so much on what I appreciated in that home and the fact that I had a home and a front door and that it provided safety and comfort,” Hoffman Smith said. Focusing on the positive attributes of your surroundings will help you stay in a high vibrational state, or in a state of contentment and peace, which makes you a magnet for whatever it is that you desire. As Esther Hicks, another manifestation expert, famously says, “As you think, you vibrate. As you vibrate, you attract.”
2. Know what your vision is, and keep it in sight.
Vision boards are a go-to practice for manifestation. While you can easily use your vision board as a phone background or laptop wallpaper, strategically placing images and positive affirmations around your home is another sneaky way to keep your vision in front of you. Consider displaying reminders of your vision on your fridge, the bathroom mirror, or your coffee table. “What matters most is having them someplace where you’ll see them all the time,” Hoffman Smith said.
For example, Hoffman Smith decorated her coffee table with a book on the Amalfi Coast, one of her favorite travel destinations. “It’s nice to be able to flip it open to a page and have it be like a vision board on my coffee table,” she said. This is great advice if you have a dream destination you’d like to visit—in addition to a coffee table book, you could also frame pictures of places on your bucket list.
Other easy ways to keep your vision in sight include placing sticky notes with positive affirmations around your home or using everyday items that remind you of your dreams. Hoffman Smith also has a collection of coffee mugs that all reflect things that make her happy. If you’re trying to manifest something specific (like a new job or a dream vacation), find a mug that has a design or words that relate to that goal and can help you imagine that it’s already a reality.
3. Maximize the space you have by keeping it tidy.
A clean, clutter-free home can help you stay focused and at ease as you work toward your goals. Even if your current space is less than ideal, keeping it tidy will help make the most of the space so it can best support your dream lifestyle. If there’s a room in your home that feels off even after cleaning and organizing, however, Hoffman Smith recommends rearranging the furniture. “If you’re about to embark on a new chapter of your life, or if the energy is just stagnant, shifting around the placements of certain things can really help,” she said. Keep rearranging until your space feels right.
4. Fill your home with things you love.
Additionally, be sure your home includes items that reflect your desires and passions. Adding beauty, like flowers for your kitchen table or art that inspires you, can have a big effect on your mood and make you feel like you’re already living your best life. For Hoffman Smith, seasonal decor helps her add joy to her space. “Changing things up with the seasons can make it feel really cozy,” she said. Consider this your sign to light a candle or hang those twinkly lights if those things make you happy. At the end of the day, manifestation is about keeping your vibration high, so be sure to sprinkle items throughout your space that bring you joy, no matter how small.
5. Set up your home for your morning and nighttime routines.
“Manifesting really comes down to the routines we do, such as meditation, gratitude, and journaling,” Hoffman Smith said, “and having a space for each in your home can help it become a ritual that you get used to and can look forward to.” Whatever you want your morning and evening routines to look like, create a dedicated space that supports those activities. If you like to start each day by journaling while you sip your morning tea, place your journal and a pen near your tea kettle and mugs. If you want to meditate each night before bed, outfit your bedroom with soft lighting and a meditation pillow. Creating the space for the routine will make it that much easier to settle into the habit, Hoffman Smith said.
6. Prepare your space for your ideal lifestyle.
Even if you don’t feel like you’re living your dream life yet, you can prepare your space for those dreams to become a reality. Does your future self like to host dinner parties? Spruce up your dining area, tidy up your kitchen, and gather up a few recipes you’d like to prepare for friends or family. Does your future self have a consistent meditation practice? Create a cozy meditation corner with a floor cushion and a small table for candles or an essential oil diffuser. By creating space for your goals, you can prepare yourself for all of the abundance that is no doubt already on its way to you.
7 Easy Decorating Tips to Instantly Boost Your Mental Health
This week’s Afford Anything blog post is a well-balanced diet:
Robert Kiyosaki predicts a massive crash — [philosophical]
Sobering stats about the housing market — [analytical]
Secret strategies to save on seasonal shopping — [practical]
The Robert Who Cried Wolf
Famed investor Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, recently caused an internet stir by predicting “the start of the biggest crash in history.”
Of course he did.
Kiyosaki is constantly crying wolf. It’s good for (his) business.
Bad news travels faster than good news.
People who prioritize attention over truth will use that to their advantage. Kiyosaki is a shrewd businessman. He understands the profit potential in strategic pessimism.
But that’s bad news for his followers. Per the law of large numbers, it’s reasonable that some people have kept their cash on the sidelines, rather than investing in the markets, after heeding his warnings. And that has massive lifelong ramifications on their wealth and retirement.
Lesson: Beware of anyone who peddles *negativity bias* in order to stay relevant.
These economic fear-mongerers don’t hold accountability for their track record of wrong predictions.
Their followers are the ones who suffer.
This is why it’s critical to choose your mentors carefully — and it’s precisely why you should never blindly enroll in an online class that’s taught by some random person whose ideas you haven’t vetted.
If you’re curious how often Kiyosaki has made the wrong call, note that Stanford-trained data scientist Nick Maggiulli, our guest on Episode 375 of the Afford Anything podcast, shared this illustration on X:
Pessimism has a visceral appeal. It’s evolutionarily advantageous to be hyper-aware of threats.
Our ancestors didn’t survive the jungle or savanna by appreciating the beautiful flowers. They survived by staying hyper-vigiliant of danger. This explains why negativity bias is so innate, so intrinsic. It’s a survival mechanism.
But in the modern developed world, pessimism keeps us overly conservative. We choose the “safe” major. We take the “steady” job. We tilt too heavily into conservative investments when we’re young, and we panic when our 401k’s start to decline. We avoid real estate investing and starting side businesses because these seem too risky.
Pessimism stifles innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. It locks us into mundane careers and middling investments as we muddle through risk-averse lives. In the end, we haven’t endured huge losses, but neither have we *embraced a shot* of winning.
As Episode 284 podcast guest Morgan Housel eloquently said:
“Pessimists get to be right. Optimists get to be rich.”
No, The Fed Lowering Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points Is Not Going to Flood the Market with New Housing Inventory 🙄
A little history lesson:
Once upon a time, in 2008, there was a Great Recession. It scared many investors and homebuilders, and they stopped making new homes.
In the decade that followed the Great Recession, new construction reached its lowest point since the 1960’s.
By 2019, the housing shortage amounted to 3.8 million units. This means there were 3.8 million more families and individuals who wanted a place to live — either to rent or buy — than there were homes available.
Then the pandemic struck. The prices of copper, lumber and other construction items shot through the roof (no pun intended). Builders had to raise home sale prices due to higher materials costs. Prices soared.
In 2020 and 2021, people across the internet cried, “Why are they charging so much more than the home is worth?!” — not realizing that “worth” is a function of the cost of labor + the cost of materials + the premium of scarcity.
And when supply is curtailed — as it was by 3.8 million units as of 2019 — there’s an ample scarcity premium.
Then inflation climbed. The Federal Reserve raised interest rates 11 times during their 2022-2023 cycle, resulting in a rapid escalation of mortgage rates.
This created a “lock-in effect” among existing homeowners. Nobody wants to trade a mortgage with a 3 percent fixed interest rate for an alternate mortgage with a 7 percent rate.
Existing homeowners with a mortgage have a huge incentive to hold.
Sellers who *need* to get rid of their property — for example, because they’re moving to another country — list their homes on the market. But homeowners who simply *want* to upsize or downsize are, for the most part, staying put.
This has created even more housing supply pressure.
Meanwhile, homebuilders — who must borrow money to finance their operations — are seeing the cost of capital skyrocket. Many have curtailed new construction, putting further pressure on the supply pipeline.
So we have a long-running confluence of factors that, piece by piece, keep exacerbating the housing supply crunch.
And this leads to today’s takeaway:
No, this problem will not magically solve itself the moment that the Fed reduces interest rates.
The Fed is meeting today and tomorrow. They’re widely expected to hold rates steady. (They’ll make an official announcement at 2 pm on Wednesday.)
There’s rampant speculation that the Fed will lower interest rates in Q1 or Q2 of next year.
— And —
There seems to be a pervasive myth that once interest rates decline, those “locked-in” homeowners will rush to list their homes for sale, flooding the market with new inventory.
The supply-demand imbalance will tilt in the buyer’s favor, home prices will plummet, and housing will become affordable once again.
Yet that is pure fantasy, disconnected from the data.
Imagine 10 people. Nine of them have mortgage rates that are less than 6 percent. The stat is 91.8 percent of mortgaged homeowners, to be precise.
Wait.
Imagine those same 9 people, the 9 out of 10 who have a sub-6 percent interest rate. Here’s how they break down:
One has an interest rate between 5 to 6 percent.
Two have an interest rate between 4 to 5 percent.
Six have an interest rate below 4 percent. The exact stat is 62 percent.
Let me say that again:
Six out of 10 mortgaged homeowners have an interest rate that’s below 4 percent.
Meanwhile:
One-half of mortgaged homeowners (49 percent) say they’d consider listing their home only if interest rates fell below 4 percent, according to a Redfin survey conducted by Qualtrics.
So this myth that if the Fed lowers interest rates, the market will get flooded with new inventory? — That scenario isn’t likely to happen for a long, long, looooong time.
As of Dec 12, 2023, the current average 30-year fixed rate for a buyer with a 740-760 credit score is 7.4 percent. Multiple reductions in interest rates won’t begin to approach the sub-4 percent rates of yesteryear.
The “lock-in effect” will last for longer than you might expect.
Lesson:Don’t wait to buy a home based on speculation about the market. If you have both the money and desire to buy a home, DO IT NOW. Homes are likely going to get more expensive in the future, not less.
How to Not Flush AS MUCH Money Down the Toilet This Holiday Season
Yeah, I know.
The holiday season is custom-built for parting with your money. Every store is promoting sales, discounts, offers. Limited time only.
It’s scarcity on steroids.
Holiday deals tap into the part of our brain that says — “this deal is only available now; I should snag it while I still can.”
Our FOMO creates jobs and drives the economy.
Since holiday spending is human nature, let’s forgo the guilting, shaming and finger-wagging that’s so endemic to the personal finance and FIRE community.
It’s counterproductive. Guilt and shame over holiday spending doesn’t change human behavior, it merely robs the joy from it.
It’s like chowing down a piece of chocolate cake while simultaneously fretting about the sugar.
You’re eating the cake regardless. You may as well enjoy it.
Instead, let’s accept that some degree of holiday spending is normal, and let’s focus on how to find the best deal possible.
Here are four pointers. (If you have more to add, please share these with the Afford Anything community) —
#1: If you’re buying an item at a mid-size company’s website (i.e., a merchant that’s bigger than a mom-and-pop shop, but not a big box retailer like Target or Amazon) — move your cursor near the “back” arrow on the browser.
This is called “exit intent,” and it often triggers pop-ups with discount codes.
#2: For online purchases: Create an account, put an item in your cart, and then leave the website.
This is called “abandoned cart,” and often triggers an automation in which the company emails you a limited-time-offer discount code.
#3: If you’re buying something expensive (over $500 – $1,000 or more), track the price for a few weeks, especially around the holidays. On sites like Wayfair, I’ve seen prices fluctuate daily.
#4: The least useful savings tip: Googling discount / promo codes or pulling these codes from mass aggregator websites.
You may get lucky, but typically 9/10 are expired or don’t work; they just yield a bunch of extra open tabs on your browser.
There’s an enormous selection of third-party websites and browser extensions that claim to help with this, with varying degrees of efficacy.
I’m not going to recommend any specific tools; recommendations are both dynamic and better crowdsourced. Please share your experience with the community.
Inside: Looking for delicious, budget-friendly meals? Look no further! This guide has 100+ delicious and frugal recipes that will help you stick to your food budget.
When it comes to keeping your grocery budget in check, meal planning is a powerful tool. It can simplify your life, save you precious time, and stretch your dollars further.
You don’t always need pricey ingredients to whip up something delicious. Creating frugal meals doesn’t mean you have to compromise on flavor.
Sometimes, a frugal meal could mean something cheaper but equally, if not more, delicious than takeout! The key to this art is using simple, inexpensive ingredients, being creative in their application, and not shying away from condiments, herbs, and spices that can elevate your dish.
Remember, eating frugally is not just cost-effective but also simple and stress-free, utilizing common kitchen staples, and easy-to-locate items.
Join me on my mission to make frugal meals that are adored by my family and my thrifty self appreciates.
Frugal Breakfast Ideas:
A frugal breakfast should not equate to boring. Here are a few ways to start your day off right without stressing your wallet:
Waffles/Pancakes: These could be made with basic ingredients like flour, eggs, and baking powder. Top with peanut butter or dust of cinnamon sugar for extra flavor!
Eggs: Cooked to your preference, be it fried, boiled, or scrambled, they are not only easy on the pocket but also a rich source of protein.
Oatmeal: Buy oats in bulk and pair them with over-ripe bananas, pumpkin butter, or a sprinkle of brown sugar. It’s a hearty and filling for just about anyone.
Muffins: Basic muffin ingredients include flour, eggs, and baking powder. For an element of surprise, add in nuts, blueberries, or mashed bananas.
French Toast: With eggs, cinnamon, and loaves of French bread, you can whip up a scrumptious breakfast.
Homemade Bread/Toast: If you’re up to the task, making your own bread could be a money-saving option. This is something I do with sourdough bread. Pair the fresh bread with either sweet or savory toppings.
Omelets: Eggs are a cheap source of protein. Whip up an omelet and serve it with your choice of inexpensive veggies.
Homemade Biscuits: Biscuits are a great addition to any frugal breakfast, with just “milk” and flour ingredients. Pair them with a little meat or enjoy them in butter. Just like my great Aunt Marie made at the ranch.
Choose Spice for Breakfast: This recipe for Mexican baked eggs uses budget friendly canned beans and eggs as a protein source. It’s super simple to make in less than 30 minutes, with eggs baked in a smoky, spicy tomato sauce with black beans, poblanos, and corn. Serve with plenty of corn tortillas for a super satisfying meal.
Frugal Lunch Ideas:
Lunch should be something to look forward to, even if you’re on a tight budget. Here are frugal lunch ideas that keep your tummy and your wallet happy.
Salad: A salad is an excellent choice for a frugal lunch, it’s both cost-effective and healthy. Based on what’s available in your fridge, you can combine different vegetables, proteins, and dressings to create a filling and tasty meal every day.
Sandwiches: The humble sandwich can be as frugal or as lavish as you like. Tuna, grilled cheese, peanut butter, and jelly, ham… you name it, sandwiches offer a great variety.
Homemade Soup: Consider creamy potato soup, creamy vegetable soup, or even curried cauliflower soup. They can be light yet fulfilling, and the ingredients are reasonably priced.
Toast Pizza: Save money by using toast as your pizza base, add what you have in the fridge, top it off with cheese, and cook it under the grill or in the oven.
Baked Potatoes: A toasty baked potato with butter is a delightful, inexpensive lunch. Top it up with fillings such as cheese or broccoli.
Remember, lunch doesn’t have to be expensive to be delicious! Use what you have at home for a more sustainable, economical, and satisfying meal.
Frugal Dinner Ideas:
Dinner is the time when families come together, share their day, and unite over food. There’s a common misconception that frugal foods are bland and monotonous. However, you don’t have to spend a fortune to make dinner delicious and satisfying.
Spaghetti: Who knew that the ultimate comfort food could be so cheap? Combine spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce or cheese, add your favorite seasonings, and voila! You have a delicious meal.
Baked potatoes: Fully customizable and super simple to be a dinner game-changer. Top them with cheese, sour cream, or any other leftovers like chili!
Stir Fry: This is a perfect way to use up any veggies you have. Throw in some meat if you have it, cook with rice and tasty sauce, and your stir fry is ready!
Tacos: Pick up tortillas, get ground beef, or use dried beans, lettuce, and salsa, and there you have your Taco night. You can also swap out the beef for beans, and it’ll still taste delightful.
Breakfast for Dinner: Who said breakfast foods are only for mornings? Whip up scrambled eggs, toast, or pancakes, and enjoy a breakfast-style dinner!
Creating a delicious, nutritious, and frugal dinner can be easier than you might think. It’s all about making the most out of the resources you have, every day.
Recipe Breakdown : Variety Of Frugal Meals
Satisfying Soup & Salad Recipes on a Shoestring
When it comes to frugality, nothing beats the soup and salad combination. These meals are not only hearty and satisfying but also easy on your wallet. With just a few ingredients, these recipes will bring variety and nutrition to your kitchen without putting a strain on your wallet.
Here are a few of our favorite frugal soup and salad recipes:
The Best Chicken Soup Recipe: Simplicity meets flavor without breaking the bank. Utilizing affordable ingredients and leftover chicken, this soup is a testament to how economical choices can still yield rich, comforting results.
Cauliflower and Bacon Soup:
Instant Pot Three Sisters Soup: A blend of corn, beans, and squash.
Root Vegetable Soup: Healthy, comforting, and made with only a few simple and inexpensive ingredients! It’s prepared with veggies like carrots, parsnips, rutabaga, and potatoes simmered in a savory broth.
Healthy Roast Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup: Winter favorite loaded with nutrients.
Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup: Comfort food at its best.
Smoky Black Bean Soup: Protein packed, tasty, and hearty.
Hearty Lentil Soup: Healthy and will keep you warm during the winter! It’s made with only a few ingredients and requires no special equipment. This soup is made with lentils, veggies, and spices simmered in a savory tomato broth.
Vegan Coconut Curry Lentil Soup: Exotic, aromatic, and down-right delicious.
Instant Pot Split Pea Soup Recipe: Classic soup, ready in no time.
Vegetable Barley Soup: With protein-rich chickpeas, cabbage, potatoes, and the twist of curry spices, this soup is easy, comforting, and delicious!
The Very Best Ham And Potato Soup With Peas: Savory, delicious and economical.
Cheap and Easy Hamburger Soup: Mouthwatering and super easy to prepare.
Creamy Vegetarian Potato Soup: Originally named 45-Cent Potato Soup because that was how much it cost per serving over a decade ago! The cost has increased a bit but this hearty potato soup is still a keeper. Creamy potato soup with veggies and milk – thick, velvety, and hearty. It’s on constant rotation at our house!
Moreover, when it comes to salads, using seasonal produce, beans, or leftover veggies can be an affordable way to create nutritious meals. Add chicken, tuna, or boiled eggs for protein, or keep it simple with fresh greens and a homemade dressing.
Remember, a frugal lifestyle does not mean you have to compromise on taste or variety. It’s about being creative with what you have!
Cut Costs with these Cheap ‘n Cheerful Chicken Recipes
Dinner necessity is the mother of so many amazing chicken dinners! Plus it is an excellent protein option that can be inexpensive, especially if you seize sales or buy in bulk.
Maple Chicken & Potato Supper: This recipe turns an affordable cut of chicken and two types of potatoes into a family favorite.
One-Pot Chicken and Potatoes: Chicken thighs are cheap, add in potatoes, onions, and carrots for a hearty comfort meal.
Leftover Chicken Curry and Vegetables: Lots of recipes use leftover chicken or turkey. But this “All the Leftovers” Chicken Curry also uses your leftover vegetables. Clean out your refrigerator today!
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup: A quick, deliciously rich, and slightly spicy meal made up of chicken, black beans, and stewed tomatoes.
Crockpot Chicken Tacos: With just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep, this is a lifesaver for busy nights.
Chicken Curry and Quinoa: Simple, tasty, and feels like a treat without the expense.
One Pan Baked Chicken Thigh Recipe with Green Beans and Red Potatoes: This recipe is easy and inexpensive when you grab the chicken thighs on sale! It is easy to prepare, a healthier option and a family favorite!
Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas: A perfect, weeknight meal.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots: A value for money meal with chicken thighs – one of the cheapest chicken cuts.
One-Pan Chicken Legs with Chickpeas and Quinoa: A wholesome, naturally sweet dish with a few spices.
Easy Cheesy Chicken Taco Spaghetti: Made with pantry staples, this comforting dinner recipe is frugal and filling. Full of pasta, creamy sauce, and canned chicken, your family will be asking for seconds!
Chicken Fried Rice: Uses leftovers efficiently, add veggies, and you have a meal.
Easy Pizza Chicken Recipe: A low carb and high protein meal, especially when you use ordinary cheddar.
Remember, maximizing flavor in cheap chicken recipes often relies on using good quality, inexpensive ingredients, and cooking techniques like slow cooking or sautéing. Happy cooking!
Beautiful Beef Dishes that Benefit Your Wallet
When trying to maintain a frugal lifestyle, using affordable cuts of beef like ground beef, shin, or skirt steak can yield mouth-watering meals that don’t bust the budget. Here are a few beef recipes that are both economical and satisfying:
Ground Beef Stroganoff: A classic comfort food that is simple, quick, and incredibly hearty.
Poor Man’s Stew: An excellent choice for a filling, cheap, and tasty meal for a whole family.
Simple Hamburger Hotdish: This simple hamburger hotdish (casserole) makes delicious use of affordable and easy-to-find ingredients like ground beef, pasta, and tomato sauce. This is a great meal idea to feed a family.
Beef Skillet Nachos: Layer chips, ground beef, and cheese in a skillet for an easy, cost-effective meal.
Homemade Beef and Noodles: An economical-friendly classic that can serve a good number of people.
Tortellini Bake: This 4 ingredient Tortellini Bake uses common ingredients like ground beef and marinara sauce to make a satisfying and hearty meal for families!
Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole: Across the realms of deliciousness and frugality, this casserole rings the bell.
Beef and Tomato Macaroni Soup: Combining the wholesome elements of beef, macaroni, and tomatoes provides a satiating meal at an affordable cost.
Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry: Brimming with colorful vegetables and protein-rich beef, this dish is a delight to both the stomach and the wallet.
Taco Skillet: It’s the taste of tacos in a convenient and cost-friendly rice skillet.
Classic Stuffed Peppers: Filled with a mixture of ground beef, rice, and a zesty sauce, it’s a comfort meal that’s easy on the pocket.
Sesame-Ginger Beef: This dinner calls for an inexpensive cut of meat.
By creatively utilizing budget cuts and leftovers, you can create economical, hearty, and tasty beef dishes for yourself and your family, fostering a love for cooking while sticking to a money plan.
Money-saving Meatless Meal Marvels
When it comes to cost-saving, meatless or vegetarian dishes are a winner. Not only are they usually cost-effective, but they’re also often packed with nutrients. Here are meatless recipes that are sure to delight your taste buds, without denting your wallet:
Quinoa Edamame Salad with Peanut Sauce: Use cabbage and edamame to make a balanced lunch. The peanut sauce is flavor-packed and uses pantry staples, and the quinoa is easy to swap with rice or pasta.
Vegan Lentil Curry: Packed with nutrition, this dish makes an inexpensive, protein-rich meal.
Jamaican Rice and Peas: Economical rice and beans doesn’t need to be boring. Jamaican rice and peas are easy to make in the slow cooker. This flavorful, easy recipe brings delicious Caribbean flavor to any meal as a side dish or a complete meal on its own.
Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups: Proof that vegetarian dinners can be delightfully hearty, this twist on classic lasagna is a crowd-pleaser.
Bean, Tomato, and Spinach Stew: A hearty and richly flavored dish that is low cost and satisfying.
Vegan Texas Tamale Pie: Great down-home, budget-friendly meal is perfect to whip up when you need something hearty, healthy, and filling to serve to your hungry family or friends in under an hour. Prepared with basic canned ingredients you might keep in your cupboard, this simple recipe can be easily adjusted to suit your tastes with the groceries you have on hand.
Stuffed Bell Peppers: Fill peppers with a delicious mixture of quinoa, black beans, tomatoes, and spices.
Eggplant Parmesan: Classic Italian dish, easy to make, and delicious to eat.
Pasta e Fagioli aka Pasta and Beans: Feed your family for pennies a bowl with pasta e fagioli. Cucina povera Italian food is the food of peasants, but it is so delicious! Only three inexpensive ingredients are needed to make this quick and easy, nutritious, one pot weeknight meal.
Potato & Zucchini Frittata: Use up your leftover veggies and whip up a quick frittata for dinner.
Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese: A classic that’s both inexpensive and palate-pleasing.
Vegetarian Stir-Fry: A colorful medley of veggies stir-fried in a savory sauce served over rice.
Spaghetti aglio e olio: This spaghetti aglio olio (with garlic and olive oil) is probably one of the most popular classic Italian pasta recipes and yet it’s so simple, budget friendly and super easy to make!
Butternut Squash Risotto: This dish, while sounding fancy, is frugal and straightforward to make.
Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese: This is a rich, hearty, and flavorful dish that’s lighter on the wallet than traditional bolognese.
Crispy Pan Fried Gnocchi: A simple and quick & inexpensive recipe to make in only 20 minutes for an easy weeknight meal. Crispy gnocchi coated in a light sauce made with garlic, herbs, butter and parmesan.
Implementing meatless meals can significantly cut down on grocery bills, with the added bonus of being healthier and environmentally friendly.
So why not give these recipes a try for your next frugal feast?
Luscious Low-Budget Lunch Ideas
The midday meal can often be overlooked when planning budget-friendly meals. Don’t let lunch blow your allowance! Here are a few low-cost, lip-smacking lunch ideas:
Bean Burritos: Beans and cheese wrapped in a tortilla can be quite satisfying and light on the pocket too.
Tuna Salad Sandwiches: A classic frugal lunch option that’s rich in protein.
Egg Salad Wraps: Egg salad in a wrap is a fulfilling lunch that’s economical.
Homemade Hummus and Veggies: Prepare hummus at home and pair it with fresh veggies for a light and inexpensive lunch.
Mixed Bean Salad: Beans are a powerhouse of nutrition and offer a low-cost lunch option. Mix different beans and dress them up with herbs and spices for a flavorful lunch.
Veggie and Cheese Stuffed Potatoes: A cheesy baked potato with veggies is filling and affordable.
PB&J: Peanut butter and jelly never go out of style and are a great low-cost lunch option.
Tuna Tomato Pasta: Tuna tomato pasta is a delicious healthy and easy recipe that only takes 20 minutes to make. With just a few basic ingredients it’s budget friendly too!
Falafel Wraps: Homemade falafel is quite reasonable and can be wrapped up with pita and fresh veggies for a satisfying meal.
Pasta Salad: Cold pasta salad with veggies is a cheap and filling lunch idea.
Vegetable Fried Rice: Leftover rice, mixed with whatever veggies you have on hand, makes for a delectable and affordable lunch.
When your lunch is as tasty as it is affordable, you’re winning at the game of frugality. Enjoy these luscious lunch ideas without breaking the bank!
Delightful Dinner Recipes That Don’t Dig A Hole In Your Pocket
Dinner is the meal you eagerly look forward to after a long day. Unfortunately, it can also be the priciest meal of the day. But it doesn’t have to be! Here are delightful, cost-effective dinner recipes:
Sloppy Joe Pasta: A homemade mix of pantry staples for a mouth-wateringly filling, budget-friendly twist on the classic Sloppy Joe.
Easy Chilaquiles: Fresh made tortilla chips smothered in homemade salsa, chilaquiles are the best way to make a flavor-packed meal on a budget!
Cottage Pie: Make a delicious cottage pie in the instant pot pressure cooker from scratch. Ideal for using up leftovers and easy to make!
Chicken Pot Pie: Homemade and padded out with cheap, seasonal veggies, it’s a classic favorite, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Mince & Potato Stew: Heartwarming, flavorful dish that’s easy to make and easier on the pocket.
Linguine with Clam Sauce: Using canned or jarred clams, this linguine dish is made from simple pantry ingredients that won’t break the bank. Dive into a dinner of delicious choice for yumminess.
One Pot Sausage, White Beans, and Kale: It combines flavorful sausage, rich canned tomatoes, white beans, fresh kale, and a few herbs and spices – a cupboard-friendly, inexpensive dinner option.
Tacos: They’re versatile, they’re delicious, and most importantly, they’re cheap.
Potato and Salmon Fish Cakes: Canned salmon and potatoes create a delicious, inexpensive dinner the family will love. They are super easy to make and you can freeze them, too. Even those who dislike salmon enjoy these fish cakes!
Asian-Style Chicken Noodles: This recipe uses leftover chicken and packs a lot of flavors without a lot of cost.
Pasta Arrabbiata: This inexpensive pasta dish is full of garlic, tomatoes, and spicy red pepper flakes. Simple, yet incredibly delicious.
Garlicky Spinach and White Bean Pasta: This recipe is packed with flavor thanks to a surprise, budget-friendly ingredient – tinned anchovies! Simply toss cooked pasta with spinach, white beans, and a garlicky anchovy sauce. It’s easy to throw together for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Egg Fried Rice: It’s a quick, healthy meal that anyone can cook.
Leftover Pasta Bake: Don’t waste food! Turn your leftovers into a treat with our leftover pasta bake!
Vegetable Stir Fry with Noodles: A quick, healthy dinner full of veggies and flavor.
Low-cost does not mean low taste. These dinner recipes prove just that. So get cooking and start saving!
Put it in Pot and Forget It – Cheap and Easy Crockpot Creations
Using a crockpot or slow cooker can be a real lifesaver for busy individuals or families. Not only does it save time but it’s also a great way to save money by making inexpensive cuts of meat tender and flavorful.
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers: Slowly simmered in marinara sauce for a frugal dinner that’s hard to beat! Just serve over pasta or polenta for an easy dinner. Plus, the leftovers are just as delicious for lunches.
Crockpot Beef and Broccoli: The economical version of your favorite takeout dish.
Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup: Inexpensive, full of flavor, and so hearty!
Creamy Crockpot Chicken: Warm shredded chicken and gravy in your slow cooker for the win.
Crockpot Baked Beans: Cheaper and healthier than store-bought!
Crockpot BBQ Chicken: Sweet, tangy, and made with a handful of pantry staples.
Crockpot Lentil Soup: Super hearty, packed with nutrients, and so easy to whip up!
Slow Cooker Pot Roast: The easiest one pot meal and is an instant win for family dinner! Plus, it’s budget-friendly! Easy to prepare for weeknight meals or special occasions alike, this easy pot roast recipe is always a crowd-pleaser!
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken: Just two ingredients are required for this super versatile recipe.
Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup: Healthy, hearty, and incredibly easy to make.
Chicken Paprikas Recipe: Use chicken thighs and cauliflower which make it a super frugal meal. If you prefer you can serve it over rice instead of the cauliflower but even her kids agree that the cauliflower version is delicious.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese: Yes, even mac and cheese can be done in a crockpot! Even better try this Broccoli Mac Kielbasa Casserole.
Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup: This recipe uses inexpensive and filling beans and veggies, perfect for when you’ve leftover ham.
Slow Cooker Vegan Chili: A vegan twist on this classic comfort food for those chilly days ahead makes for a healthy dinner packed with nutrients brimming with flavor!
Each of these meals will serve you without making a significant dent in your grocery budget. Enjoy the convenience and frugality that slow cooking brings!
Make It Snappy With Instant Pot Recipes
The Instant Pot is a versatile kitchen appliance that’s excellent for fast, delicious meals when you’re on a budget.
Instant Pot Ground Beef Enchilada Pasta: This easy dish combines a few affordable ingredients into a hearty meal that your family will love.
BBQ Beans Instant Pot Recipe: A frugal recipe that’s great as a main dish or a filler for burritos.
Easy Pizza Potatoes in the Instant Pot: A simple pairing of pizza flavors and potatoes for a wallet-friendly dish.
Air Fryer Pita Bread Pizza: Only 5 minutes and a handful of low-cost ingredients to a delicious DIY pizza.
Sweet Potato, Lentil and Chickpea Curry: This vegan instant pot recipe is full of flavor, super hearty and delicious, and extremely reasonable to make.
Mushroom Masala- Mushroom Curry: An exotic and easy-to-prepare mushroom curry that satisfies without stretching the dollars.
Chicken and Sausage Paella in the Instant Pot: Cut down cost by using sausage and chicken thighs for this easy, savory dish.
Instant Pot Tuna Casserole: Comfort on the cheap, using pantry staples.
Fast and Easy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice: Made using basic pantry staples and suitable for both adult and kid taste buds.
These Instant Pot ideas are not only quick and easy to prepare but also budget-friendly. They’re proof that frugal doesn’t mean boring!
Handy Kitchen Tools for Budget-Savvy Cooking
When it comes to frugal cooking, your kitchen gadgets can be your best companions. These tools can save you both time and produce restaurant-quality dishes at home for a fraction of the cost.
Many are the same as frugal home must haves!
Only rely on tools that you use regularly in order to maximize their cost. So, equip your kitchen with these practical, cost-effective tools, and enjoy a more manageable culinary journey.
FAQs: Navigate Your Approach to Cost-Efficient Eats
Eating lunch at work doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune, following these tricks can save you a lot of money:
Meal prep: Plan your meals ahead of time. Invest in a few hours during the weekend or your day off to cook large amounts and portion them out for the week ahead.
Leftovers Are Your Best Friend: Make a bit extra while cooking dinner, and voila, you’ve got lunch for the next day. A yummy, cheap, no-fuss, and no-waste solution!
Pack Your Own Snacks: Trade small shop-bought packs of snacks for a large bag or bulk-buy from a wholesale store. Divide them into small reusable containers for your daily hunger itch.
Invest in a Flask: A good quality thermos flask can keep your homemade soup or stew warm until lunchtime and it’s a lot cheaper than buying soup from a cafe.
Remember, the key is not to take complicated dinners which takes a lot of time. Rather, simple sandwiches, yogurt with fruits, homemade soup even boiled eggs can make great inexpensive lunch options. Planning ahead is key when you’re trying to eat on a budget.
There are several cheap meals you can whip up using budget-friendly ingredients. The absolute cheapest would depend on what you already have on hand in your pantry or the cost of ingredients in your locality.
Rice & Beans: This is a universally cheap and filling meal that can be flavored with some stock, onions, and spices.
Pasta with Tomato Sauce: This is a popular choice when it comes to cheap ideas. All it takes is a rigatoni of your choice, a basic tomato sauce made from canned tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.
Cereal & Milk: A bowl of generic brand cereal and milk is an incredibly cheap meal. It lacks in terms of proteins and fats, but it can be a good quick fix.
Eggs on Toast: Eggs and bread are both cheap elements. Whip up scrambled eggs or make a simple boiled egg sandwich.
Potato Soup: One of the cheapest vegetables around, and they make a filling, simple potato soup.
Homemade Pizza: Using basic homemade dough and simple tomato sauce, you can add anything you have on hand to make a delicious pizza.
Remember, the cheapest dinners typically use basic pantry staples. By having a well-stocked pantry, you’ll be able to whip up a variety of low-cost dinner ideas.
A frugal meal doesn’t equate to scanty or tasteless. Here’s what defines a frugal meal:
Inexpensive Ingredients: Frugal meals predominantly use cheaper ingredients. Find plenty of cheap foods when broke (and you don’t need to be broke).
Fewer Ingredients: Meals with minimal ingredients are typically more economical. They aren’t stuffed with fancy extras, but they make up for it in hearty flavor.
Uses Pantry Staples: Rely on pantry staples like rice, dried pasta, canned goods, and dry baking ingredients.
Repurposes Leftovers: Instead of wasting ingredients incorporate leftovers in innovative ways.
Meal Prep and Batch Cooking: Cooking in bulk and freezing dinners for later can be a massive money saver, reducing waste and reducing the number of ingredients needed overall.
Limited Meat or Vegetarian: As meat is typically one of the more expensive ingredients, frugal cooking is often vegetarian or uses meat sparingly.
While frugal meals won’t always hit all these factors, if they contain a few of these aspects, you can be assured they will provide a cost-effective dining experience. A frugal meal strives to offer nutritional balance, satisfying taste, and minimal impact on your wallet.
Perfecting the Art of Frugal Cooking
Preparing budget-friendly cooking not only saves money but also reduces food waste and can create a warm, comfortable home. This is how to be frugal with food. Here are some expert tips to get you rolling:
Plan Your Meal Calendar: Plan out your menu for the week, keeping in mind what ingredients you already have.
Shop Smart: Shop for groceries with a list in hand so you don’t end up buying unnecessary items. Look out for sales, and discounts, and try to shop in bulk.
Utilize Leftovers: Don’t throw away leftovers. Repurpose them into a new meal or use them as an ingredient in another dish.
Use More Vegetables and Grains: Vegetables and grains are generally cheaper than meat and can be used to bulk out dinners.
Freeze Extras: If you cook in bulk, freeze the extra portions for a later date. This can act as a lifesaver during busy periods.
Use Cheap Cuts of Meat: Cheap cuts, such as chicken thighs, can be just as delicious as expensive ones, especially when slow-cooked.
Cook from Scratch: Convenience foods often cost a lot more than the sum of their parts.
Grow Your Own: If you have a garden, consider growing your own vegetables and herbs.
Reduce Waste: Get creative in the kitchen and use parts of food that you’d otherwise throw away.
Remember, with a bit of planning and creativity, you can prepare delicious, healthful meals without breaking the bank! It’s all about making smart choices.
Which Filling Cheap Meals are You Going to Try?
Embarking on these frugal meals can help stretch the budget while still enjoying a variety of flavorful and satisfying dishes.
Whether you are budgeting on a low income or just want to stretch your dollar further with going teens, we have given you plenty of options to eat well and healthy.
Many on this list are my personal favorites. This is how we stay on our grocery budget.
The biggest step is learning how to meal plan and stick to the menu! Now, off to move frugal living tips to save money!
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Did the post resonate with you?
More importantly, did I answer the questions you have about this topic? Let me know in the comments if I can help in some other way!
Your comments are not just welcomed; they’re an integral part of our community. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how these ideas align with your journey towards Money Bliss.
“Home price appreciation continued to push forward in November, despite the new highs in mortgage rates seen over the year,” CoreLogic chief economist Selma Hepp said in the report. “And while the annual growth reflects comparisons with last year’s declines, seasonal gains remain in line with historical averages. “This continued strength remains remarkable amid the … [Read more…]
Do you have some big savings goals this year? Or maybe there are a few things you’d like to buy, but need to save up for first. Saving money isn’t impossible—but you do need to be smart.
Wondering how to save for big purchases? Honestly, it depends on a lot. You have your own unique and personal needs, budget, and financial situation. So what works for you might not work for someone else. But, no matter your savings goal, saving money is essentially the same process for everybody. You need to spend less than you bring in.
Psst—keep reading to learn how to jump-start your savings for a limited time with Fifth Third Bank! >>
How Do You Budget for Big Purchases?
If you’re looking for a place to start, we have a few suggestions that can help. Here are a few things you can do to save up:
Define what the upcoming big purchases are, including amounts.
Save by paying yourself first out of your income.
Set SMART goals you can actually meet.
Use the 50/20/30 rule to incorporate goals into your monthly budget.
Open a high-interest savings account to maximize potential savings.
Use microsavings/investing apps to make additional contributions to savings.
How to Save for Big Purchases in 2024 and Beyond: the Details
Following the list above can help you save money for big purchases this year without giving up your entire lifestyle. But you have to know how to put these tips into practice when saving for a big purchase. Get some more tips and details below.
1. Define Upcoming Big Purchases
Begin by determining what you’re going to save for and knowing that you can’t save for everything. Can you save $10,000 this year to put down on a house? Maybe, but you may not be able to save for the new car and a trip to Disneyland at the same time. How much you can save in a certain period of time depends on your resources and obligations, so this is a step that’s different for everybody.
Once you determine what you’re saving for, make it official. Write your goal on a whiteboard in the home office, put it on a piece of paper on the fridge, and tell a trustworthy friend or family member about it. Writing it down and sharing it actually makes it more likely you’ll work toward the goal. Research shows that writing down and imaging a completed goal makes you 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to successfully reach that goal.
2. Pay Yourself First
Once you start saving, know that you need to put savings first. You definitely shouldn’t save so much out of every paycheck that you can’t cover your bills. But if you decide that your monthly budget allows you to save $150 every two weeks, the first thing you should do when you get paid is move that money into a savings account.
The main reason for doing this is that it makes the money less tempting to spend. If you wait until you’ve done all your spending for the week, you might find that your $150 in savings was eaten up by running to the coffee shop, splurging on a movie, and buying a new shirt you wanted but didn’t necessarily need.
You can help ensure you pay yourself first with a couple of tips:
Break up your direct deposit. If your employer offers direct deposit, you may be able to ask them to deposit a certain portion of each check into a savings account while the rest goes into checking.
Set up automated transfers. You can have a specific amount moved from checking to savings every week by automated bank transfer. That way, you don’t have to remember to take your savings out of the picture on paydays.
For a limited time, jump-start your 2024 savings with Fifth Third! Get $325 when opening an eligible Fifth Third checking account with qualifying activities. *Offer expires 3/31/2024. See all terms & conditions.
*To qualify for the $325 checking bonus, provide the offer code, open a Fifth Third Momentum (R) Checking by 3/31/2024 and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of account opening.
3. Set SMART Goals
SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. This type of goal can be helpful when saving money over time for a large purchase.
Find out exactly how much you need to make the purchase. “Saving enough to buy a car” is a decent goal, but you’re more likely to achieve a more specific goal, such as “saving $20,000 to buy a car.”
When you’re specific, you can break the goal down in measurable bits. In the car example, if you want to buy the car in two years, you know you need to save an average of $834 a month.
You need to be realistic. If you make $4,000 a month and have $3,000 in debt to pay, saving $834 a month is not really attainable. That would leave you with $166 for food and living expenses for the entire month. In that case, you’d need to reduce your goal, reduce your debt, or increase your income.
Make sure your goal is relevant to what you really want and need in the future. Do you really want a new car, or are you saving up for one based on some societal pressure to have one?
Finally, set a deadline for your goal. That lets you break it down into smaller, more easily achievable chunks that lead up to that deadline.
4. Use the 50/20/30 Rule for Budgeting
The 50/20/30 rule of budgeting is a bit more flexible than the traditional line-item budget. In the line-item budget, you set the amount you want to spend on each area of your life, including options such as bills, gas, clothing, entertainment, and savings.
The 50/20/30 rule only breaks your budget into three major categories. Half of your income goes to “needs”, which includes food, rent, health care, and utilities.
Then, 30% of your income goes to wants. That includes options such as entertainment, travel, clothing that isn’t “necessary,” and dining out. The rest of the income—20%—goes toward savings.
So, if you make $4,000 a month, that would leave $800 for savings if you can align all your spending and debt with the numbers above. You might want $400 of that savings for general purposes and retirement. That leaves $400 to go toward your big-purchase goal.
One way to manage your budget is with an app. Find a budget app that works with the budget and savings style you choose.
5. Open a High-Interest Savings Account
Once you start saving, consider maximizing it with a savings account that generates the highest yield. Shop for a high-interest savings account that balances risk and reward in a way that works best for your goals.
6. Use Microsavings and Investing Apps
Another way to implement savings is to use microsavings apps or investment apps such as Acorns. These apps let you make investments with small dollar amounts—investments that might yield more interest than even a high-yield savings account.
Microsavings also makes it easy to save money every day. These apps often let you round up your purchases at registers and have the change transferred to your savings. It’s a few cents a day, but it can add up.
How Can I Save $1,000 Fast?
The steps above work well for saving almost any amount. But if you’re trying to save up $1,000 for a starter emergency fund or other expense quickly, here are a few other tips you might try:
Add a temporary income stream. Can you babysit kids in the neighborhood, mow lawns, make something to sell, or pick up a seasonal part-time job? Having a side gig can help you save money faster.
Dump some of your wants temporarily. You can temporarily move a portion of income from wants to savings by canceling cable for a few months or cutting down on dining out.
Don’t pay extra on debts. Paying off your debts is important and can be a good move if you want to save more money in the long run. But it’s also important to have some emergency savings to keep you from driving up debt any time something unplanned occurs. Reduce extra debt payments to save that money faster.
You Can Save Money—but You Have to Be Smart
There’s no magic answer for how to save for big purchases. It involves setting realistic goals, working to achieve them, and spending less than you bring in. Following the steps above can be a way to get started on that work, but don’t forget to create a safe place where those savings can be stored until you’re ready for the purchase. You can visit Credit.com to learn more ways you can master your finances.
For those who love winter sports and other year-round outdoor recreation, it’s worthwhile to consider Salt Lake City as a potential home. An attractive destination, full of ski resorts and some of the “greatest snow on earth,” the city and its surrounding area provides mass appeal making it worth getting to know.
Even as you’re busy skiing in the winter and hiking through canyons and over mountains in the summer, you do still need to consider whether the cost of living in Salt Lake City will fit into your budget. At 8.4 percent above the national average, it’s one of the more expensive Utah cities, coming in slightly above Provo and almost 10 percent above Ogden.
Although most likely still affordable to most, here’s how the Salt Lake City cost of living breaks down by the most important necessities.
Housing costs in SLC
One of the biggest cost of living areas impacted by the influx in residents to Salt Lake City, Utah, is the real estate market. At 21.8 percent above the national average, prices have increased by almost 6 percent over last year.
The city’s housing costs, overall, are significantly higher than other Utah metros. They’re 10.6 percent above Provo and 25.3 percent above Cedar City. This puts specific apartment averages a little higher as well — a one-bedroom apartment averages around $1,440 per month, up 8 percent since last year, and a two-bedroom apartment averages $1,760 per month, up 5 percent.
Home prices are also on the rise, up 7.7 percent over last year. This increases the median sale price in Salt Lake City to $550,000.
Apartment hunting in Salt Lake City
There are a lot of options when it comes to finding an apartment in the best neighborhoods in Salt Lake City.
People’s Freeway is a popular area just south of Downtown for renters. A one-bedroom apartment in this laidback neighborhood averages out at $2,032 per month. Also attractive, Downtown Salt Lake gives you that urban feel with ample bars, restaurants and parks. Living here though costs you an average of around $1,900 per month for a one bed.
To stick more closely to the citywide average price, consider looking for rentals in Glendale. This neighborhood isn’t far from Downtown, and a one-bedroom rental here averages out at $1,444 per month.
Food costs in Salt Lake City
This city boasts a lot of diversity when it comes to food, offering up a variety of cuisines both in restaurants and at local grocery stores and global markets. Some of the city’s signature items though include fry sauce, the signature condiment of the city, and pastrami burgers. You’ll also get amazing honey from here. Utah is after all, the Beehive State.
Overall, the cost of living here when it comes to groceries is 3.5 percent above the national average. This is less than a one percent increase over last year, which hopefully means food prices haven’t seen too big of a price hike.
As it stands, you can expect to pay around $4.91 for a pound of ground beef and $2.13 for a dozen eggs. If you’re a coffee drinker, grocery store prices come out to about $5.35, while those who love orange juice in the morning will most likely shell out $4.67 for a container. Many of these prices sit on the higher side when compared with other Utah cities.
Utility costs
The only piece to your cost of living puzzle that’s below average are utilities. In Salt Lake City, they’re 6.4 percent below the national average. This is good news since you’ll most likely run your heater pretty hard once it gets cold. It’s common to see temperatures get below freezing for most of the winter.
Averages are also low enough to knock Salt Lake City out of the most expensive Utah city in this category. It’s still on the high end, but you’ll pay more in Cedar City, where costs are 2.1 percent below the national average.
When it comes to your monthly power bills, these averages mean you can expect to pay about $151 per month in utilities in Salt Lake City, and $166 per month in Cedar City.
Transportation costs
Transportation costs in SLC are 13.1 percent above the national average. This means that potentially the best way to save a little on this particular cost of living piece is to mix things up.
If you need to get around by car, remember to take into account the cost of parking. Salt Lake City has meters that average around $2 per hour. There are also plenty of parking garages that vary in cost.
If you’re able to tap into public transportation, TRAX, an electric light rail system, runs three different lines to get you where you need to go. There are the blue, red and green lines moving through 50 stations, including the airport. The city is also part of a comprehensive bus system with more than 120 routes. Seasonal ski service is another form of public transportation you can take advantage of from November/December through March/April.
Fares include the local bus, TRAX and the city’s streetcar. A one-way fare is $2.50, and a day pass is $5. It’s $85 to purchase a monthly pass.
When the weather is nice, you can save on transportation by taking advantage of the fresh air and going about on foot or by bike. Salt Lake City boasts a 67 walk score and a 73 bike score.
Healthcare costs
Paying for healthcare is never an easy line item in your budget. Costs can vary greatly between people based on your own health needs, prescription costs and history. Although the city itself has healthcare costs that are 2.1 percent above the national average, what you pay out-of-pocket won’t always align with averages.
Salt Lake City healthcare costs are the highest in Utah by a significant amount. Most other major cities are below the national average, with the lowest being Cedar City at 10.1 percent below. Even Provo, the closest city in price to Salt Lake, is still 6.5 percent lower than the national average.
This may impact what you pay when you go see your doctor, although this cost is highly dependent on your insurance coverage. If you don’t have insurance though, expect to spend, on average, $121.40 at the doctor, $94.80 at the dentist and $114.19 when seeing the eye doctor. The average spend in prescription medications, without insurance, reaches up to $510.44.
Goods and services costs
The cost of living in Salt Lake City has many moving parts, but one of the best ones is anything in the goods and services category. These are all the extras you work into your monthly budget. Both fun and functional, it’s what you hope to get to do each month, but are also often willing to cut if money gets tight.
Overall, goods and services in Salt Lake City are 2.2 percent above the national average. This is a 2.2 percent decrease over last year. That’s good news, and may mean prices for things like a movie ticket ($12.95), a haircut ($19.40) or even a bottle of wine ($8.99) are going down.
Taxes
When it comes to budgeting for shopping, it’s good to know that Salt Lake City has a 7.75 percent sales tax rate. That means for every $1,000 you spend on furnishing your new apartment, for example, $77.50 will go straight to taxes.
This rate is calculated by combining the 4.85 percent statewide rate with a county tax, city tax and special tax.
Taxes will hit you again when it’s time to file your annual return, however, the state of Utah has a standard income tax rate of 4.85 percent. You pay this no matter your income.
How much do I need to earn to live in Salt Lake City
Setting aside 30 percent of your gross income is one of the best ways to budget for rent. If you align your estimated monthly costs with this number, you should still be able to afford all the other pieces that make up the cost of living in Salt Lake City.
Working backward, if the average one-bedroom apartment here is $1,475, you’d need to earn at least $57,960 a year to make the 30 percent rule work.
This is good news for many residents, where, the median household income is $63,156, slightly higher than what you’d need.
To best figure out how much you can afford in rent, check out our rent calculator to see what you have to work with.
Free things to do in SLC
Being a state capital, the first free activities that come to mind include touring the Utah State Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion. While you can tour the capitol building any day it’s open, the Governor’s Mansion only has tours on the first Wednesday of every month, from 2 to 4 p.m.
The scenic backdrops around Salt Lake City make the parks all over town another freebie that’s extra special. Some favorites to check out include:
Sugar House Park, the largest park in Salt Lake at 110 acres
Liberty Park, one of the shadiest parks in the city
Memory Grove Park, with its Liberty Bell replica
Canyon Rim Park, a popular festival location
Other popular spots in Salt Lake that are also easy on the wallet include the Clark Planetarium. Admission to the exhibits is always free, though you will have to buy tickets if you’re going to see a special film. For a free annual event, check out the Living Traditions Festival each May. This special event celebrates the city’s diverse ethnic communities and traditions.
Living in Salt Lake City
There are so many good reasons leading people to flock to this beautiful Utah city; what will yours be? From its proximity to the mountains and many national parks to its unique culture and young, vibrant vibes, there’s something for everyone here. It’s no wonder Salt Lake is one of the best cities in Utah.
So, if you’re craving a little snow, with plenty of skiing, and want to live in a fun spot that continues to grow and thrive, it’s time to start planning your move to Salt Lake City today.
The Cost of Living Index comes from coli.org.
The rent information included in this summary is based on a calculation of multifamily rental property inventory on Rent. as of November 2022.
Rent prices are for illustrative purposes only. This information does not constitute a pricing guarantee or financial advice related to the rental market.
Traditionally, one third of all homes get a price cut before they sell and when demand gets weaker, this percentage increases, which we saw in 2022 when prices were falling in the second half of the year. However, as home sales stabilized in 2023, so did this data line. While the percentage of price cuts is still much higher than 2021 levels, this explains why prices were stable in the second half of 2023 versus the second half of 2022.
Now that mortgage rates have fallen and as we start the brand new year, we need to focus on this data line more. I believe we should get more sellers in 2024 than in 2023, but that doesn’t necessarily mean home prices will fall.
Price cut percentages
As you can see in the chart below, if we continue the current seasonal trend, we are going to surpass the price-cut percentage lows of 2023 by this spring. This is why following the housing market tracker tied to the 10-year yield, mortgage rates, and purchase application data will be as critical as last year to tell you what’s going on in the housing market. That way you don’t need to wait for stale sales data. If mortgage rates increase or supply grows faster than expected, this data line is critical to telling the truth.
Here are the year-over-year price-cut percentages from the first week of the year:
2024 32.8%
2023 36.5%
2022 22.6%
It’s 2024! Time to get this party started!
Of course, my main wish during the crazy COVID-19 period was to try to get total active listings back to pre-COVID-19 levels, which was a functioning marketplace with more choices. It’s been challenging as only a few parts of the U.S. have returned to pre-COVID-19 levels. However, one key for 2024 is finding the seasonal bottom in housing inventory sooner rather than later. We want to see active inventory bottom out in January and February — not March and April.
Weekly housing inventory data
Here is a look at the first week of the year:
Weekly inventory change (Dec. 29-Jan. 5): Inventory fell from 513,240 to 499,143
Same week last year (Dec. 30-Jan. 6): Inventory fell from 490,809 to 471,349
The inventory bottom for 2022 was 240,194
The inventory peak for 2023 is 569,898
For context, active listings for this week in 2015 were 959,028
New listings data
This is the year we should all be rooting for new listings data to grow. Last year, It was great to see that new listing data didn’t take a new dive lower no matter how high mortgage rates got. While working from the lowest levels, 2024 should show year-over-year growth: I’d like to see new listings data get back to 2021 and 2022 levels. Both these years were the lowest new listing levels before rates rose, so it’s not asking for much. I talked about this on CNBC a few months ago.
The year-over-year data is meaningless late in the year or very early: we need to get back to 2021 and 2022 levels during the spring period entering the summer. Hopefully, this will occur in 2024.
Mortgage rates and the 10-year yield
In my 2024 forecast, the 10-year yield range is between 4.25%-3.21%, with a critical line in the sand at 3.37%. If the economic data stays firm, we shouldn’t break below 3.21%, but if the labor data gets weaker, that line in the sand — which I call the Gandalf line, as in “you shall not pass,” will be tested. This 10-year yield range means mortgage rates between 7.25%-5.75%. If the spreads get better, mortgage rates can be lower than this.
Last week was jobs week, and some of the data was good, while some showed softness. Starting from Tuesday, mortgage rates starting didn’t move too much even though the bond market had some wild swings.
However, from the previous week, we went from mortgage rates of 6.61% to a high of 6.76%. Right now, I am watching for 3.80% on the 10-year yield, and if the economic data gets better and the Federal Reserve makes another mistake by getting too hawkish, 4.40% on the upside. However, one big positive now is that the spreads are improving. We have the CPI inflation report coming up this week, so that should be a market mover. Always remember, the Fed presidents can say something hawkish and mess things up daily.
Purchase application data
I will keep this very short and sweet: we never care about the last two weeks of the year with purchase applications because nothing happens during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Traditionally don’t track the first week of the year either, but for the tracker purposes, starting next week, I will.
The truth is that mortgage demand has collapsed, and it has a tough time growing with rates above 6%. With that said, last year, we had 23 positive and 24 negative prints, and two flat prints for the year. Before Christmas came, we had an excellent six-week positive growth trend as mortgage rates fell almost 1.5% from 8%.
Purchase apps are seasonal; we focus on the second week of January to the first week of May. Traditionally, volumes always fall after May, so we will get a good idea of how the year will look soon. Remember, context is vital we are working from the lowest levels ever, so it doesn’t take much to move the needle higher, but we want to see real growth, not a low-level bounce. A sub-6% mortgage rate with duration should do the trick, but we aren’t there yet. So, for now, we will be very mindful of the weekly data.
The week ahead
We have two inflation reports coming out this week: The all-important CPI report on Thursday and the PPI report on Friday. The growth rate of inflation has cooled down enough to stop the rate hike cycle and now we want to see rate cuts. The one good thing about the CPI report is that the most significant component of CPI, shelter inflation, hasn’t had its big move lower yet. Also, it’s impossible to have core CPI accelerate higher without shelter inflation taking off again since it’s 44.4% of the index.
Mortgage rates over the last seven days followed a split path, but an important rate are now higher. Average 15-year fixed mortgage rates didn’t move, while average 30-year fixed mortgage rates grew.
For variable rates, the 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage slid lower.
30-year fixed mortgage: 7.05%
15-year fixed mortgage: 6.41%
5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage: 6.39%
Since early November, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage started making sustained drops, largely due to the Federal Reserve’s less restrictive monetary policy, cooling inflation and other economic data. The most common home loans are now in the 6% to 7% range.
Yet even with the recent decline in rates, the mortgage market always slows down toward the end of the year. And rates aren’t compelling enough to upset holiday plans to do home shopping, according to Keith Gumbinger of HSH.com. “After the holidays, if rates are still in this range, we’ll likely see a little seasonal pent-up demand by borrowers expressed in January,” Gumbinger said.
About these rates: Like CNET, Bankrate is owned by Red Ventures. This tool features partner rates from lenders that you can use when comparing multiple mortgage rates.
Today’s average mortgage interest rates
If you’re in the market for a home, check out how today’s mortgage rates compare to last week’s. We use data collected by Bankrate to track daily mortgage rate trends. This table summarizes the average rates offered by lenders across the country:
Current average mortgage interest rates
Loan type
Interest rate
A week ago
Change
30-year fixed rate
7.05%
7.00%
+0.05
15-year fixed rate
6.41%
6.41%
N/C
30-year jumbo mortgage rate
7.12%
7.06%
+0.06
30-year mortgage refinance rate
7.21%
7.16%
+0.05
Rates as of January 3, 2024.
How to choose a mortgage
When picking a mortgage, consider the loan term, or payment schedule. The most common mortgage terms are 15 and 30 years, although 10-, 20- and 40-year mortgages also exist. You’ll also need to choose between a fixed-rate mortgage, where the interest rate is set for the duration of the loan, and an adjustable-rate mortgage. With an adjustable-rate mortgage, the interest rate is only fixed for a certain amount of time (commonly five, seven or 10 years), after which the rate adjusts annually based on the market’s current interest rate. Fixed-rate mortgages offer more stability and are a better option if you plan to live in a home in the long term, but adjustable-rate mortgages may offer lower interest rates upfront.
30-year fixed-rate mortgages
The average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate is 7.05%, which is an increase of 5 basis points from one week ago. (A basis point is equivalent to 0.01%.) A 30-year fixed mortgage is the most common loan term. It will often have a higher interest rate than a 15-year mortgage, but you’ll have a lower monthly payment.
15-year fixed-rate mortgages
The average rate for a 15-year, fixed mortgage is 6.41%, which is the same rate compared to a week ago. Though you’ll have a bigger monthly payment than a 30-year fixed mortgage, a 15-year loan usually comes with a lower interest rate, allowing you to pay less interest in the long run and pay off your mortgage sooner.
5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages
A 5/1 ARM has an average rate of 6.39%, a slide of 2 basis points compared to last week. You’ll typically get a lower introductory interest rate with a 5/1 ARM in the first five years of the mortgage. But you could pay more after that period, depending on how the rate adjusts annually. If you plan to sell or refinance your house within five years, an ARM could be a good option.
Calculate your monthly mortgage payment
Getting a mortgage should always depend on your financial situation and long-term goals. The most important thing is to make a budget and try to stay within your means. CNET’s mortgage calculator below can help homebuyers prepare for monthly mortgage payments.
Where mortgage rates are headed
At the start of the pandemic, mortgage rates were near record lows, around 3%. That all changed as inflation began to surge and the Fed kicked off a series of aggressive interest rate hikes, which indirectly drove up mortgage rates. Now, nearly two years after the first rate increase in March 2022, mortgage rates are still more than double what they were just a few years ago.
The central bank has kept interest rates steady since late July, and mortgage rates are just now starting to see sustained decreases. With the Fed extending its rate-hike pause in December, experts are waiting for the first rate cut. It may be months before that happens, but as long as inflation continues to moderate, mortgage rates should stabilize and start inching even lower in the coming months.
What affects mortgage rates?
Federal Reserve monetary policy: The nation’s central bank doesn’t set interest rates, but when it adjusts the federal funds rate, mortgages tend to go in the same direction.
Inflation: Mortgage rates tend to increase during high inflation. Lenders usually set higher interest rates on loans to compensate for the loss of purchasing power.
The bond market: Mortgage lenders often use long-term bond yields, like the 10-Year Treasury, as a benchmark to set interest rates on home loans. When yields rise, mortgage rates typically increase.
Geopolitical events: World events, such as elections, pandemics or economic crises, can also affect home loan rates, particularly when global financial markets face uncertainty.
Other economic factors: The bond market, employment data, investor confidence and housing market trends, such as supply and demand, can also affect the direction of mortgage rates.
Mortgage rate forecasts from experts
While mortgage forecasters base their projections on different data, most predict rates will remain near or above 7% for the rest of 2023. Here’s a look at where some of the major housing authorities expect average mortgage rates to land at the end of the year.
How to find the best mortgage rates
Though mortgage rates and home prices are high, the housing market won’t be unaffordable forever. It’s always a good time to save for a down payment and improve your credit score to help you secure a competitive mortgage rate when the time is right.
Save for a bigger down payment: Though a 20% down payment isn’t required, a larger upfront payment means taking out a smaller mortgage, which will help you save in interest.
Boost your credit score: You can qualify for a conventional mortgage with a 620 credit score, but a higher score of at least 740 will get you better rates.
Pay off debt: Experts recommend a debt-to-income ratio of 36% or less to help you qualify for the best rates. Not carrying other debt will put you in a better position to handle your monthly payments.
Research loans and assistance: Government-sponsored loans have more flexible borrowing requirements than conventional loans. Some government-sponsored or private programs can also help with your down payment and closing costs.
Shop around for lenders: Researching and comparing multiple loan offers from different lenders can help you secure the lowest mortgage rate for your situation.
“America’s Finest City” has a price-point, and amenities, that live up to its nickname.
The eighth-most populous city in America, San Diego typically ranks around the same for the cost of living compared to other major cities in the country. Overall, San Diego’s cost of living comes in at 44 percent above the national average.
While that may seem steep, it’s important to realize that within this expensive city, there are plenty of pockets where the cost of living is more affordable. San Diego residents may already know where to look, but it’s something you can calculate, too. It’s all about understanding the price, and whether your expenses are still affordable in the city.
Below, we break down the five factors affecting the cost of living in San Diego to help you discover if “America’s Finest City” is a fit for you.
1. Housing costs and utilities in San Diego
Housing in San Diego doesn’t come cheap. In fact, the uninitiated may experience sticker shock at first glance when it comes to home prices.
Overall, housing costs are a whopping 115.6 percent higher than the national average. This is only slightly below the housing costs in Los Angeles and Orange County, and considerably higher than most California cities.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Diego is about $2,887 per month, which is a 1 percent decrease in cost over last year. A two-bedroom is around $3,788 per month on average, a 1 percent increase over last year. Those prices fluctuate depending on the neighborhood and amenities.
If you’re looking to buy a home, the median price in San Diego is $930,000. Home prices are up 3 percent over last year. Most homes in San Diego sell within days, so if you have the means, you need to act fast.
To better understand how housing costs in San Diego compare to the rest of California, the average cost for a two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco is $4,939, over $1,151 more. The average home price in Los Angeles is $975,000, $45,000 more. The San Diego cost of housing may feel high, but it’s definitely not the highest in the state.
Apartment hunting around San Diego County
Although San Diego is an expensive city, prices vary greatly based on the neighborhoods you decide to check out. The difference in living expenses between a more expensive San Diego spot, and the least expensive, is pretty significant.
Trendy North Park, with its vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene, is an expensive neighborhood in the city, with one-bed rental prices at $2,300 per month on average. But, rest assured, there are plenty of areas offering apartments for a fraction of that price.
Case in point, City Heights, located inland and to the east of many better-known San Diego communities, offers one-bed apartments for an average rent of $1,700. Areas like Colina del Sol and Paradise Hills are also on the more affordable side, with one-bed rents averaging the same at $1,650 a month.
Utilities in San Diego
San Diego is known for its beautiful weather. Average temperatures hover around 76 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the year, but you’ll still feel some seasonal change, lots of rain and the occasional cold front.
If you live inland, summer days are scorchers, leading locals to crank up that air conditioning. On the flip side, some nights in the winter get really cold. As a result, a person could pay a hefty price for AC and heat.
Taking this into account, overall utility costs are 13 percent higher than the national average. This is an actually a increase over last year, where this particular piece of the cost of living in San Diego was 10 percent above the national average. Inflation has contributed to this number for every state.
2. Food costs and goods and services in San Diego
San Diego is famous for its diverse culinary scene. Whether you’re more inclined to try a pasta dish in Little Italy, some chile rellenos at an authentic Mexican restaurant in Old Town or fish tacos, a local favorite, you can find a deal on a meal just about anywhere. However, when it comes to casual dining, meals average out to around $25 per person.
Of course, most people don’t eat out all the time. With dozens of quality supermarkets and plenty of neighborhood farmer’s markets, meal planning and finding a deal on food is easy.
Keep in mind that groceries in San Diego run 10 percent higher than the national average. You’ll pay extra for certain staples like milk ($2.17 for a half-gallon), eggs ($4.85 for a dozen), bread ($3.63 for a 24-ounce loaf) and ground beef ($8.08 per pound).
Commodities and entertainment costs
As you tally up expenses in your cost of living calculator, don’t forget to budget for goods and services. This includes all the extras on your monthly expense sheet that you could live without, but really don’t want to deny yourself.
This category includes things like a session at a yoga studio ($24), movie tickets ($12.5 each), dry cleaning ($24) and a trip to the beauty salon ($80).
Overall, goods and services in San Diego cost 10 percent more than the national average, a slight dip of less than one percent over last year.
3. Transportation costs in San Diego
One of the many luxuries about life in San Diego is that the freeways are much calmer than those of Los Angeles. Traffic is tame during most hours of the day, although it gets a bit congested around common commute times. Still, transportation expenses are slightly higher than those in Los Angeles and 30.4 percent higher than the national average.
For any person who decides to use a car to get around the city, be prepared to pay to park. Parking can range from as little as $7 to as much as $32 based on parking type and whether you need to keep your car there overnight.
For those who choose to forgo driving altogether, San Diego offers an accessible public transportation system. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System provides bus and trolley services across San Diego County, including a dedicated line for the University of California, San Diego.
Bus and trolley fares are the same. One way will cost $2.50, but you can purchase a day pass for $6 or a monthly pass for $72. Family weekends allow you to save a little on transportation. Up to two children, 12 and under, can ride free with a fare-paying adult.
If you just want to get around and enjoy life outside, San Diego’s layout makes it ideal for walking — it’s also convenient for bike enthusiasts. The city has a walk score of 53 and a bike score of 43.
4. Healthcare costs in San Diego
Healthcare is a primary concern in most people’s minds, and in San Diego, you can expect to pay slightly more in this category — about 7.2 percent above the national average. This is a slight dip in overall costs from last year.
Prices now are about 1.4 percent less. It’s also not the highest-priced city in the state by far. Los Angeles and most major cities in Northern California are higher than San Diego’s cost of living for healthcare.
A visit to a doctor will cost you about $145, while a dental checkup will run you around $120. You can also expect to pay a bit more for medications. For example, the median price for a bottle of Ibuprofen is about $13. When you factor in the maintenance appointments you’ll need each year, and your list of prescriptions, the price can add up.
Calculating average healthcare costs for everyone is difficult. Everybody has different needs for their body and healthcare routines vary drastically. As a result, you should consider your typical healthcare routines when creating your cost of living budget, factoring in your medicine regimens and insurance coverage.
5. Taxes in San Diego
Since taxes vary by location, it’s easy to get confused when it comes time to budget accordingly. Sales tax in San Diego is 7.75 percent. However, neighboring cities, where you may go shopping, can vary.
Live in San Diego, but prefer to shop in Oceanside? You’ll pay 8.25 percent in sales tax.
How much do I need to earn to live in San Diego?
Earlier, we discussed the fact that the housing piece to your cost of living in San Diego is quite a bit more than in other locations.
Experts generally recommend you allocate at least 30 percent of your annual income to rent, which means you should know the average salary that aligns with the average rent.
If a one-bedroom in San Diego is $2,879 per month, you’d need a job that pays at least $115,160 per year. You may have to consider a roommate or some creative living situation, given that the median annual income in San Diego is $89,457.
Although lower than what you’d need to pay the average rent, it’s not impossible to live comfortably. Our rent calculator can show you exactly how much you can afford and help you target specific areas within your budget.
Living in San Diego
San Diego is a wonderful place to live if you love warm beaches, temperate climates, great food and a lively club scene. It’s no wonder 35 million people visit each year and some of them end up living in San Diego after their vacation.
Whether those people choose to plant roots depends a lot on budget. What can you afford?
The Cost of Living Index comes from coli.org.
The rent information included in this summary is based on a calculation of multifamily rental property inventory on Rent. as of August 2023.
Rent prices are for illustrative purposes only. This information does not constitute a pricing guarantee or financial advice related to the rental market.