COST OF LIVING INDEX QUARTERLY UPDATE

 COST OF LIVING INDEX QUARTERLY UPDATE

The Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce participates each quarter in a cost of living survey with the Council for Community and Economic Research. This survey is used as a comparison guide for individual and business relocations. Furthermore it is used by prospective businesses in their site selection process.

Among the 265 urban areas participating in the first quarter 2017 Cost of Living Index, the after-tax cost for a professional/managerial standard of living ranged from more than twice the national average in New York (Manhattan) NY to more than 20 percent below the national average in McAllen, TX.

The Cost of Living Index is published quarterly by C2ER –The Council for Community and Economic Research. The Cost of Living Index measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and non-consumer expenditures, for professional and managerial households in the top income quintile. It is based on more than 90,000 prices covering 60 different items for which prices are collected quarterly by chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and university applied economic centers in each participating urban area. Small differences should not be interpreted as showing a measurable difference.

The composite index is based on six component categories–housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services.

The Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce conducts the quarterly survey as part of their economic development office. The local Chamber represents over 850 businesses, organizations and professionals in the region encompassing Bowie County, Texas, and Miller County, Arkansas. For additional information on being a member of the Chamber, the economic development programs, and visitor information, contact the Chamber at 903-792-7191 or info@texarkana.org or 819 N. State Line Avenue, Texarkana, TX 75501

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