F
62%
Overall NAT. AVG.
16%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
170%
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 Hawthorne California National
Cost of living162140100
Goods & Services116111100
Groceries112112100
Health care108109100
Housing270196100
Transportation124126100
Utilities112127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Hawthorne, CA

The cost of living in Hawthorne affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Hawthorne is 162, which is 62% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Hawthorne may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Hawthorne falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Hawthorne cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 170.4% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, 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, Hawthorne goods and services are 16.2% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

The surge in grocery costs is indeed alarming, especially when groceries make up a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Over the past two years, there has been an inflation of over 10% in grocery prices. Unfortunately, Hawthorne does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 12.2% higher than the national average.

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

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 10 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Hawthorne. The feedback revealed that 70% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 30% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Hawthorne Affordable?

Is Hawthorne an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Hawthorne, the median home price is 226% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 40.7% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Hawthorne come in at $57,849, which is 4.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Hawthorne?

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Hawthorne, the groceries index registers 12.2% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Hawthorne, the utilities index is 12.4% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Hawthorne, the transportation index stands at 24.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Hawthorne cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors 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 Hawthorne is 16% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Hawthorne is 62% higher than the national average
  • Hawthorne housing is 170% 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 Hawthorne

See all the best places to live around Hawthorne

Compare Hawthorne, 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$98,119$8,177$2,289$2,944
      Renters$50,423$4,202$1,176$1,513
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Hawthorne, 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 Hawthorne have a median income of $98,119. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,289 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $50,423, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,176.

      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 Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne National avg. Difference
      Home Price $602,100.00$184,700.00226.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,799.02$2,346.6919.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,335.00$949.0040.7%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Hawthorne 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.
      Westside, CA21311615.6%
      Vernon, CA24811717.0%
      Willowbrook, CA24,40113333.3%
      Rolling Hills CDP, CA83213433.9%
      Compton, CA95,80413636.2%
      Hawthorne, CA85,41016262.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hoover, AL85,38611313.3%
      Bloomington, MN85,2261099.1%
      Clifton, NJ85,20112828.3%
      Bryan, TX85,645937.0%
      Duluth, MN85,8521000.1%
      Hawthorne, CA85,41016262.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.