Muskogee’s cost of living ranked 12.4 percent below the national average for the first quarter, Greater Muskogee Development officials announced.

Every quarter, Muskogee Development prices everything from a gallon of milk to a T-bone steak to rent on a three-bedroom home, officials said.

Prices are not only lower than the national average in Muskogee, the town is “fully on the radar screen for certain industry sections right now,” said Muskogee Development Executive Director Leisha V. Haworth.

“The current trend is all sorts of alternate energy, and the cost of transportation continues to help Muskogee remain competitive nationally.”

Muskogee’s transportation index for the first quarter was 81.5 percent of the national average, said Marie Seabolt, director of marketing and research for Muskogee Development. She said that is the lowest index in the nation.

“Given Muskogee’s central location and access to air, rail, port and highway, it’s not hard to recognize why Muskogee remains a viable location for businesses in the manufacturing and distribution industries.

Muskogee’s ranking in three other index categories were less than the national average for the first quarter, Muskogee Development reported.

They are:

• Groceries at 94.8 percent of the national average.

• Housing at 74.3 percent.

• Miscellaneous goods at 92.7 percent.

Two remaining categories ranged above the national average — utilities were 102 percent and health care was 102.9 percent.

Muskogee Development got its information on the national averages from the first quarter 2008 ACCRA Cost of Living Index.

That index reflects cost-of-living ranging from more than twice the national average in New York (Manhattan) to almost 20 percent below the national average in Joplin, Mo.

C2ER, the Council for Community and Economic Research, produces the ACCRA Cost of Living Index. Chambers of commerce or similar organizations (Muskogee Development) volunteer to participate.