F
48%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
124%
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 Orcutt California National
Cost of living148140100
Goods & Services105111100
Groceries107112100
Health care93109100
Housing224196100
Transportation127126100
Utilities157127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Orcutt, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Orcutt 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 Orcutt is 148, which is 48% 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 Orcutt 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, Orcutt falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the Orcutt cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 124%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Is Orcutt Affordable?

Is Orcutt 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 Orcutt, for instance, where the median home price falls 141.6% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 82.9% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Orcutt flaunting a median household income of $95,916, 73.4% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Orcutt?

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as 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 with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

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 Orcutt, healthcare costs are 6.6% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Orcutt 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 Orcutt is 6% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Orcutt is 48% higher than the national average
  • Orcutt housing is 124% 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 Orcutt

See all the best places to live around Orcutt

Compare Orcutt, CA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      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$103,363$8,614$2,412$3,101
      Renters$82,979$6,915$1,936$2,490
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Orcutt, 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 Orcutt have a median income of $103,363. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,412 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $82,979, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,936.

      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 Orcutt 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 Orcutt 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 Orcutt 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 Orcutt National avg. Difference
      Home Price $446,200.00$184,700.00141.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,847.37$2,346.69149.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,736.00$949.0082.9%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Orcutt 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.
      Casmalia, CA8812323.2%
      Sisquoc, CA16912626.3%
      Guadalupe, CA7,65412726.6%
      Lompoc, CA42,75313030.4%
      Santa Maria, CA105,52813535.4%
      Orcutt, CA31,35314847.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Redmond, OR31,35911515.1%
      Shawnee, OK31,3618416.0%
      Grimsby, ON31,320n/a 
      Rochester, NH31,30511312.9%
      Fairbanks, AK31,42713232.3%
      Orcutt, CA31,35314847.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.