The Cost of Living Index (COLI) is a numerical value that represents how expensive it is to live in a particular area relative to a baseline. Livably uses 100 as the national average.
How It's Calculated
The index is a weighted composite of five categories:
- Housing (30% weight) — Median rent, home prices, property taxes
- Food & Groceries (15% weight) — Average grocery basket cost
- Transportation (10% weight) — Gas prices, public transit costs, insurance
- Utilities (10% weight) — Electricity, water, internet
- Healthcare (10% weight) — Insurance premiums, typical medical costs
- Other (25% weight) — Miscellaneous goods and services
Reading the Index
| Range | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Below 80 | Very affordable |
| 80–95 | Affordable |
| 95–105 | Near national average |
| 105–130 | Above average |
| Above 130 | Expensive |
| Above 170 | Very expensive |
Limitations
The COLI doesn't account for quality of life, job availability, or personal spending habits. Two cities with the same index may feel very different depending on your lifestyle.