By KARIN RONNOW, Chronicle Staff Writer
The latest Bozeman cost-of-living report puts the city almost on par with national averages for the first time in four years, according to Prospera Business Network.
The third-quarter 2010 report shows Bozeman's composite cost-of-living score at 100.4.
"The last time the city reported average consumer expenses this close to national ones was the second quarter of 2006," said Stuart Leidner, Prospera's executive director.
The decline in the cost of living here is attributed to "even lower housing costs," which dropped to 3.4 percent below the national average after years of being well above average, Leidner said.
In other categories for the third-quarter:
= Energy prices posted well below national averages, as they have all year.
= Health care costs were 4.7 percent above the national average.
= Groceries posted at 7.6 percent above the national average, "well within historic trends," Leidner said.
= The cost of miscellaneous goods (dry cleaning, veterinarian bills and movie tickets, among other things) was 2 percent above national averages, but "they have been dropping all year," he said.
= Transportation costs were about 2 percent above the national average for the second quarter in a row.
"Bozeman residents pay similar prices for transportation costs, such as gas and tire rotations, to residents in Twin Falls, Idaho, a city of similar size and composition," Leidner said.
By comparison, the cost of living in Missoula was one-tenth of a percentage point closer to the national average, at 11.3 percent, with lower housing prices compared to the national average, but higher utility and healthcare costs than in Bozeman.
The cost of living fell just below the national average in Kalispell and Laramie, Wyo., at 97.6 and 97.3 percent respectively.
Prospera, Gallatin Valley's nonprofit economic development organization, compiles its quarterly report using the ACCRA Cost of Living Index, a national comparison of prices in 314 urban areas. The index tallies the prices of more than 90,000 items in each community. In Bozeman, Prospera collects the information and submits it to ACCRA.
Comments by Jason Frey: With the cost of living in Bozeman adjusting closer to the national average coupled with our combination of outdoor amenities, the area continues to be a highly sought after destination for relocating professionals and those looking for investment or vacation properties. For more information on real estate in the Bozeman area, contact me and I will assist you in finding property that meets your specific and unique criteria.
All best,
______________________
Jason Frey
Agent
PureWest, Inc.
jason.frey@purewestproperties.com
No comments:
Post a Comment