C
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
18%
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 Lamont California National
Cost of living105140100
Goods & Services105111100
Groceries107112100
Health care93109100
Housing82196100
Transportation127126100
Utilities157127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Lamont, CA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Lamont? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Lamont stands at 105, making it 5% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Lamont are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Lamont can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Lamont Affordable?

Is Lamont affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Lamont, for instance, where the median home price falls 19.7% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 15.1% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Lamont flaunting a median household income of $42,948, 22.4% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Lamont?

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Lamont, the transportation index is 27.2% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

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 Lamont, the groceries index is 6.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Lamont displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Lamont is 25% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in Lamont is 5% higher than the national average
  • Lamont housing is 18% 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 Lamont

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Compare Lamont, 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$65,251$5,438$1,522$1,958
      Renters$31,978$2,665$746$959
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Lamont is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Lamont has a median income of about $65,251 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,522 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $31,978. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $746 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Lamont 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 Lamont 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 Lamont 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 Lamont National avg. Difference
      Home Price $148,300.00$184,700.0019.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,847.37$2,346.69149.2%
      Apartment Rent $806.00$949.0015.1%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Lamont 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.
      Weedpatch, CA2,879991.0%
      Fuller Acres, CA6341010.9%
      Mettler, CA1151022.3%
      Oildale, CA35,5201088.4%
      Arvin, CA21,2201099.4%
      Lamont, CA14,7241055.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      West Nipissing / Nipissing Ouest, ON14,724n/a 
      California, MD14,73012424.2%
      Bradley Gardens, NJ14,71414848.3%
      Lebanon, MO14,7358119.2%
      Hewitt, TX14,7051000.1%
      Lamont, CA14,7241055.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.