[modhatter]

I have noticed on a few of the CD forums that people have contributed to a cost of living thread for the benefit of people considering relocating to that state. I have read some individual responses to peoples questions asking about electricity, or water, garbage, insurance etc. But it really would be helpful to people if everyone would share their own experiences with all of these reoccurring expenses in one place for perspective residents to see.
I know of course that there are variables, as to if you live in a big house or a small apartment, or you have a pool or you are a person of one, two or three, so to set a format that I think would be helpful, I'll post my own (though still in Florida at the moment) just to set up some parameters.

1200 sq. ft. single story house, no pool.
One 2007 Toyota Prius (max coverage)
One 2004 Toyota Tundra truck
Medicare supplement policy (me)
HMO Policy son (31 yrs) no deductible
Family members 2

Monthly Costs
Real Estate Taxes $125 mo.
HOA $35 mo.
Home Insurance $65 (fire and liability only) No hurricane coverage
Toyota Prius (500,000/500,000) $100 mo.
Toyota Tundra $125 mo.
Umbrella Policy $20 mo.
Yearly license registration about $36 yr. ea car
Electric (all electric house) $250 in summer (keep thermostat on 76 or 77)
In winter months anywhere from $120 to $160
Water approx $60-$70 a month. (Have lots of landscaping and water not an issue here)
Garbage and sewer $17 a mo.
No gas
Medicare supplement policy $259 (expensive in FL.)
Son's policy (31 yrs.) $425 (again expensive here)
Internet $65 a mo. for 6 mg.
Just local OTA Tv and Netflix $8.00
Phones $24 Oohma VOIP , plus TMobile prepaid .
Food. $600 including dog food and cleaners, paper products etc
lawn service $80 month Plus extra for fertilizers, trees etc.(weekly)
Housekeeper $80 every two weeks ($20 per hour)

I am not counting eating out, entertainment, gifts, maintenance etc., etc. as all of that stuff is either discretionary or irregular monthly expenses. Nor am I including mortgages or car payments, as that is also discretionary to an extent and doesn't usually vary be state.

This is as cheap as one could hope to live in Florida, and expect moving to Las Vegas will cost me more, but wanted to lay out a format for you. Any LV residents willing to contribute for the potential new residents?

[ScoopLV]

I don't see how you're going to compare insurance rates, which are based on age (and driving record/medical history) more than anything else.

But here goes:

3,700 sqft., two story house, no pool
2007 Nissan Altima hybrid (max coverage)
2004 Ford F150 CNG truck
no supplementary health insurance needed (two Cadillac health policies, no annual cost -- part of our salary/benefits)
no children

Recurring Costs

Real Estate Taxes $3,900/yr
HOA $29/mo (no gate/guard)
Home Insurance $75 (complete replacement with loss of use provision)
Altima (500K/500K, collision) $1,265/yr
F150 (500K/500K) $765/yr
Umbrella Policy $85/yr
Altima registration & smog $175/yr
F150 registration $95/yr
Electric (Time of Use plan) $120-150/mo in summer (keep thermostat on 85f, evaporative coolers)
Electric (Time of Use plan) $30-50/mo other months
Gas $45/mo winter
Gas $15/mo other months
Water and sewer $25/mo
Garbage $45/qtr
Alarm $15/mo
Landline/satellite/internet $120/mo
Food (inc. co-ops, gardening) $300/mo (However, we do not buy any packaged crap, soda, or basically anything sold in a box. We buy meat, vegetables and grain and cook it.)
Lawn service Ha!
Housekeeper Ha! Ha! Ha!


EDIT -- We should probably add "R.O. System membranes and filters $200/yr; irrigation system repair $0-300/yr" to the above. As bad as Florida water is, Las Vegas water is worse.

We came here from Florida, and our cost of living halved by moving here. But then again, we lived in Key West, which is one of the most expensive places in America. Our annual costs in Nevada don't even add up to what windstorm insurance was in Key West.

[modhatter]

What is R.O. system membranes? Yes, I know there are some variables in auto insurance with age and driving record. On health insurance though, when you reach medicare age, if you add the supplemental insurance (a separate policy you buy for the other 20% Medicare doesn't pay) it does vary by state and area.

Here in Fl., mine cost $259 a mo. The same policy in Phoenix would cost $150. So, not sure where Nevada is yet on that one.

Yes, Key West is very expensive, and I can imagine your homeowner's insurance was out of site. I am about two miles from ocean in southern Florida now, but before I moved to this small place, I had a large house about your size inland about 8 miles, and my taxes were $7,000 a year and my insurance about $4,500.

So, I downsized to something cheap and small

[AlphaBeta]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

...
Alarm $15/mo

Who provides your monitoring?
[mod cut --off topic]

[tortoise]

Originally Posted by modhatter

there are some variables in auto insurance with age and driving record

. . and Credit-Based Insurance Scores.

[ft_chief]

Here is my cost of living in North Las Vegas:

2000sf, 4br/3ba 2story townhouse built in 2008
2012 Hyundai Elantra(wife)
2010 Toyota Highlander(me)
I am a retired Navy Chief with one wife and 3 school age kids.

Monthly expenses:

1. Mortgage - $731.00(just refinanced to 4.1%) includes principal,interest,taxes, and insurance.
2. HOA - $55.00
3. Car insurance 100/300 - $90.00(both cars)
4. Health Insurance, Tricare Prime - $39.00
5. Electric - $60-80 winter, $150-180 summer
6. Gas - $40-60 yr round
7. Water,Sewage, Trash p/u - $30.00(SNWA just added a $5.00 infrastructure surcharge??)
8. Direct TV - $69.00
9. Internet DSL Century Link 10mb - $67.00
10. Phone - majic jack $25.00 per yr
11. Food - $800-1000(no budget)

Total - $2300.00 per month(using highest costs)

Our cost of living has decreased by more than 50% from our previous homes in Hawaii and Guam.

[eventusstultorummagister]

Nobody ever factors in the cost of moisturizers. Skincare (in dry/windy Vegas) can get expensive!

[AlphaBeta]

Does anyone wash their cars in their driveway? I don't like having a dirty car but don't really want to go to the drive thru all the time. Besides, you can't get your wheels cleaned well that way.

[modhatter]

Originally Posted by eventusstultorummagister

Nobody ever factors in the cost of moisturizers. Skincare (in dry/windy Vegas) can get expensive!

I'll have to put that on my list. Hairspray too!

[kimba01]

Originally Posted by AlphaBeta

Does anyone wash their cars in their driveway? I don't like having a dirty car but don't really want to go to the drive thru all the time. Besides, you can't get your wheels cleaned well that way.

I have, but I think there are limitations/suggestions on how many times a week or month you can do that. My neighbor uses a company with a portable water well on their truck. They come and wash your car at your house. No clue what that costs. I thought it was strange.