F
67%
Overall NAT. AVG.
16%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
186%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Alhambra California National
Cost of living167140100
Goods & Services116111100
Groceries112112100
Health care108109100
Housing286196100
Transportation124126100
Utilities112127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Alhambra, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Alhambra is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Alhambra is 167, which is 67% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Alhambra is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Alhambra falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

When it comes to the cost of living in Alhambra, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 186.1% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Alhambra goods and services are 16.2% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

Groceries are getting more expensive by the day and the cost of groceries makes up 13% of the overall cost of living index. In the past two years, prices have shot up by over 10%! Unfortunately, in Alhambra, it's the same story – grocery costs are 12.2% higher than what people pay across the country.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Alhambra?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 7 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Alhambra. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 71% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 29% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Alhambra Affordable?

Is Alhambra an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Alhambra is 241.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 57.5% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Alhambra has a median household income of $66,593, which is 20.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Alhambra?

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Alhambra, the utilities index stands at 12.4% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Alhambra, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates kick off at 1%.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Alhambra, the housing index is 186.1% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Alhambra cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Alhambra is 19% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Alhambra is 67% higher than the national average
  • Alhambra housing is 186% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 56% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Alhambra

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Compare Alhambra, CA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$89,225$7,435$2,082$2,677
      Renters$54,610$4,551$1,274$1,638
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Alhambra, CA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Alhambra have a median income of $89,225. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,082 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $54,610, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,274.

      California Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      California 7.25% 10.5%

      California Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      California 1% 12.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item Alhambra National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.67$24.261.7%
      Beauty Salon $49.33$45.568.3%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.41$1.289.8%
      Movie $13.46$12.1311.0%
      Bowling $19.07$18.006.0%

      Groceries

      Item Alhambra National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.26$5.847.2%
      Fried Chicken $2.08$1.5732.2%
      Milk $4.76$4.671.9%
      Potatoes $4.94$4.930.2%
      Pizza $16.13$12.0933.5%
      Beer $9.60$10.417.8%

      Health Care

      Item Alhambra National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.09$125.682.7%
      Doctor $119.86$135.7811.7%
      Dentist $108.07$113.294.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.36$10.652.7%
      Lipitor $505.41$468.607.9%

      Housing

      Item Alhambra National avg. Difference
      Home Price $630,200.00$184,700.00241.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,799.02$2,346.6919.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,495.00$949.0057.5%

      Transportation

      Item Alhambra National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.47$3.4629.3%
      Tire Balancing $58.33$59.922.6%

      Utilities

      Item Alhambra National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $326.49$193.9968.3%
      Phone $182.78$192.254.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Vernon, CA24811717.0%
      Willowbrook, CA24,40113333.3%
      Compton, CA95,80413636.2%
      Florence-Graham, CA64,78713736.5%
      Industry, CA26413333.1%
      Alhambra, CA84,50916766.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Redwood City, CA84,518267166.7%
      Johns Creek, GA84,55113332.8%
      Santa Fe, NM84,41811212.3%
      New Braunfels, TX84,6221065.6%
      Danbury, CT84,65012828.0%
      Alhambra, CA84,50916766.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.