B
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
24%
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 Clearlake California National
Cost of living101140100
Goods & Services109111100
Groceries108112100
Health care113109100
Housing76196100
Transportation121126100
Utilities114127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Clearlake, CA

Knowing the cost of living in Clearlake allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Clearlake stands at 101, marking it 1% higher than the national average.

In Clearlake, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Clearlake will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

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

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 10 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Clearlake. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 40% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 60% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Clearlake Affordable?

Is Clearlake affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Clearlake, the median home price is 32.6% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 3.7% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Clearlake boasting a median household income of $36,339, 34.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Clearlake?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Clearlake, healthcare costs are 13.1% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Clearlake, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Clearlake, the groceries index is 8.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Clearlake, 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 Clearlake is 28% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in Clearlake is 1% higher than the national average
  • Clearlake housing is 24% lower 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 Clearlake

See all the best places to live around Clearlake

Compare Clearlake, 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$45,713$3,809$1,067$1,372
      Renters$27,643$2,304$645$829
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Clearlake, CA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Clearlake homeowners, is $45,713. This would allow for a maximum of $1,067 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $27,643 which would result in a maximum of $645 to be spent on rental 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 Clearlake National avg. Difference
      Haircut $40.00$24.2664.9%
      Beauty Salon $60.53$45.5632.8%
      Toothpaste $3.67$3.701.0%
      Shampoo $1.44$1.2812.5%
      Movie $13.76$12.1313.4%
      Bowling $22.22$18.0023.5%

      Groceries

      Item Clearlake National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.56$5.844.7%
      Fried Chicken $2.06$1.5731.0%
      Milk $4.93$4.675.5%
      Potatoes $4.69$4.935.0%
      Pizza $13.98$12.0915.7%
      Beer $10.49$10.410.8%

      Health Care

      Item Clearlake National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $153.50$125.6822.1%
      Doctor $201.43$135.7848.3%
      Dentist $115.72$113.292.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.03$10.653.5%
      Lipitor $380.45$468.6018.8%

      Housing

      Item Clearlake National avg. Difference
      Home Price $124,400.00$184,700.0032.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,182.68$2,346.6935.6%
      Apartment Rent $914.00$949.003.7%

      Transportation

      Item Clearlake National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.51$3.4630.2%
      Tire Balancing $58.67$59.922.1%

      Utilities

      Item Clearlake National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $238.53$193.9923.0%
      Phone $190.81$192.250.7%
      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.
      Nice, CA2,4071000.4%
      Clearlake Oaks, CA2,1941043.6%
      Kelseyville, CA3,6571088.1%
      Lucerne, CA2,67411616.0%
      Upper Lake, CA1,25011716.5%
      Clearlake, CA15,3291010.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Saugeen Shores, ON15,330n/a 
      Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, QC15,334n/a 
      Americus, GA15,3198614.4%
      Westbury, NY15,33915554.7%
      Clarksdale, MS15,3427821.5%
      Clearlake, CA15,3291010.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.