Cost of Living

The cost of living index is based on the composite price of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, clothing and entertainment.
Cost of living indexes will generally be higher in areas that offer access to beaches, culture, arts and recreation. In addition, areas that offer a wider variety of services such as health and education will run higher due to higher wages, and increased quality of living.

Cost of living indexing explanation
A figure of 100 points is used as an average both for the USA and Florida. For example:
* New York, NY -169.0
* Long Beach, CA -141.0
* Palo Alto, CA -310.0
* Boston, MA -149.0
* Malibu, CA -331.0
• Statewide, Florida cities come in from a low of 88 and up

One way to compare Florida areas to salary requirements
For example-If you were relocating from Portland Oregon (whose rate is 116) to Vero Beach, and you currently make $50,000 per year, the formula is as follows
Take the destination index, in this case Vero-94.0 and divide by Portland’s index-116, then multiply by a salary of $50,000. This will give you a figure of $40,517.00 which would be required to make in Vero Beach to have the same quality of life.

See comparable Florida statewide
* Re cost of living--in some areas Real Estate has went up dramatically however costs that factor in such as food, transportation, rents etc have not increased at the same rate-so in some areas, even though housing is expensive, the overall rating may still be low

2011-2012 stats Source http://www.bestplaces.net/col/

Boca Raton-111.0
Cape Coral-Ft Myers-93.0
Ft Lauderdale-108.0
Destin-115.0
Jacksonville metro-88.0
Big Pine Key fl-123.0
Key Largo-143.0
Key West-141.00
Marathon fl-130.0
Miami metro-108.0
Melbourne-88.0
Naples Fl-161.0
Orlando metro-91
Palm Bay-86
Palm Coast-Flagler-91.0
Panama City-89.0
Pensacola metro-90.0
Sarasota-93.0
Tampa 88.0
St Pete-Clearwater-87
Vero-Beach Indian River-94.0
West Palm Beach metro-95.0
(Population Weighted-State Average=100
See national comparisons
Cost of living (100 = nationwide average)

* New York, NY -169.0
* Long Beach, CA -141.0
* Palo Alto, CA -310.0
* Boston, MA -149.0
* Malibu, CA -331.0
* San Francisco, -199.0
* Chicago, IL -105.0
* Dallas Tx -88.0
* Atlanta Ga -94.0

For more information about cost of living go to
Sperlings best Places http://www.bestplaces.net/

The cost of living across the city areas in Florida's Treasure Coast averaged only 95% of the national average or 20th in the state of Florida, With housing, Real Estate prices substantially below the national average,
Stuart and Martin County is a great place to live, work and play.

MARTIN COUNTY
The ‘flavors’ of Stuart and the greater Martin County area offers something for everyone: beachside and coastal towns where outdoor activities and nature take center stage; historic towns with tree-lined streets, quaint sidewalk cafes, restaurants, art galleries, charming antique stores and brand name stores you’re familiar with; ‘Old Florida’ towns where rodeos and orange groves, as well as cowboys still exist; and an old fishing village where fisherman still bring their catch to market each day and where world-class sport fishing tournaments are hosted every year.

Utilities.
For water and sewer go to
Indiantown Company
City of Stuart Water Dept.
Martin County Utilities & Solid Waste Dept.
South Martin Regional Utilities
Hobe Sound Water Company
Hydratech Utilitie
For electric go to Florida Power & Light
Gas Companies:
TECO/People's Gas
Tri-County Gas
Martin County Petroleum & Propane
In conclusion, with the recreational and job opportunities and the quality of life, mixed in with low housing costs, the Treasure Coast is a great option.

What if you never had to go back from your vacation? You can! You can live the vacation.