F
81%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
234%
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 Carpinteria California National
Cost of living181140100
Goods & Services105111100
Groceries107112100
Health care93109100
Housing334196100
Transportation127126100
Utilities157127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Carpinteria, CA

Understanding the cost of living in Carpinteria can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Carpinteria cost of living index is 181, which is 81% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

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 Carpinteria 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, Carpinteria 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 Carpinteria, 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 233.6% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

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

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 8 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Carpinteria. The feedback revealed that 75% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 25% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Carpinteria Affordable?

Wondering if Carpinteria is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Carpinteria, for example, the median home price is 285% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 113.8% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Carpinteria boasting a median household income of $74,868, which is 35.3% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Carpinteria?

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Carpinteria, the housing index comes in at 233.6% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Carpinteria, healthcare costs are 6.6% lower than the national average.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Carpinteria, the transportation index is 27.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Carpinteria, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Carpinteria is 29% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Carpinteria is 81% higher than the national average
  • Carpinteria housing is 234% 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 Carpinteria

See all the best places to live around Carpinteria

Compare Carpinteria, 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$108,925$9,077$2,541$3,268
      Renters$68,266$5,689$1,593$2,048
      The affordability of the housing market in Carpinteria, CA as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Carpinteria homeowners, the median income is $108,925. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $2,541 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $68,266. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,593 for their rent related monthly costs.

      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 Carpinteria National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.25$24.268.2%
      Beauty Salon $89.33$45.5696.1%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.48$1.2815.6%
      Movie $18.12$12.1349.4%
      Bowling $22.67$18.0025.9%

      Groceries

      Item Carpinteria National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.77$5.841.1%
      Fried Chicken $2.63$1.5767.0%
      Milk $4.91$4.675.0%
      Potatoes $4.90$4.930.6%
      Pizza $13.49$12.0911.6%
      Beer $11.13$10.416.9%

      Health Care

      Item Carpinteria National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $142.20$125.6813.1%
      Doctor $131.33$135.783.3%
      Dentist $131.50$113.2916.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.78$10.6510.6%
      Lipitor $508.17$468.608.4%

      Housing

      Item Carpinteria National avg. Difference
      Home Price $711,100.00$184,700.00285.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,847.37$2,346.69149.2%
      Apartment Rent $2,029.00$949.00113.8%

      Transportation

      Item Carpinteria National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.62$3.4633.6%
      Tire Balancing $61.00$59.921.8%

      Utilities

      Item Carpinteria National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $231.40$193.9919.3%
      Phone $193.81$192.250.8%
      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.
      Oak View, CA6,55716262.3%
      Meiners Oaks, CA3,69716262.5%
      San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA108,46716464.3%
      Mira Monte, CA6,83316867.7%
      Ojai, CA7,61318282.0%
      Carpinteria, CA13,44918180.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Newington, VA13,45215050.0%
      Perth East, ON13,452n/a 
      Lake Forest Park, WA13,45517676.5%
      Nesconset, NY13,44015756.7%
      Whitehall, PA13,437981.8%
      Carpinteria, CA13,44918180.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.