F
74%
Overall NAT. AVG.
12%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
222%
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 Tustin California National
Cost of living174140100
Goods & Services112111100
Groceries113112100
Health care99109100
Housing322196100
Transportation124126100
Utilities94127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Tustin, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Tustin 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 Tustin is 174, which is 74% 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.

The cost of living in Tustin is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Tustin falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Tustin, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 222.2% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Tustin, these items will cost you 12% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Tustin, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 13.1% higher than the national average.

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

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 Tustin. The feedback revealed that 50% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 50% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Tustin Affordable?

Is Tustin 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 Tustin, for instance, where the median home price falls 275.2% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 98.6% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Tustin flaunting a median household income of $88,386, 59.8% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Tustin?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Tustin, the utilities index registers at 5.9% lower 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 Tustin, the transportation index stands at 23.9% 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 Tustin, healthcare costs are 1.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Tustin cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates 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 Tustin is 25% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Tustin is 74% higher than the national average
  • Tustin housing is 222% 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 Tustin

See all the best places to live around Tustin

Compare Tustin, 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$130,028$10,836$3,034$3,901
      Renters$66,917$5,576$1,561$2,008
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Tustin, CA, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Tustin, homeowners have a median income of $130,028. Using that number, a maximum of $3,034 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $66,917, which means there is a maximum of $1,561 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Tustin National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.27$24.2612.4%
      Beauty Salon $41.78$45.568.3%
      Toothpaste $3.61$3.702.6%
      Shampoo $1.34$1.284.9%
      Movie $11.04$12.139.0%
      Bowling $21.11$18.0017.3%

      Groceries

      Item Tustin National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.89$5.840.8%
      Fried Chicken $3.49$1.57121.9%
      Milk $4.92$4.675.4%
      Potatoes $4.92$4.930.3%
      Pizza $15.31$12.0926.6%
      Beer $10.26$10.411.4%

      Health Care

      Item Tustin National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $112.92$125.6810.2%
      Doctor $95.50$135.7829.7%
      Dentist $117.28$113.293.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.58$10.650.7%
      Lipitor $521.17$468.6011.2%

      Housing

      Item Tustin National avg. Difference
      Home Price $693,000.00$184,700.00275.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,441.43$2,346.694.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,885.00$949.0098.6%

      Transportation

      Item Tustin National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.75$3.4637.3%
      Tire Balancing $61.38$59.922.4%

      Utilities

      Item Tustin National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $378.97$193.9995.4%
      Phone $180.31$192.256.2%
      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.
      Las Flores CDP (Tehama County), CA32411110.6%
      Laguna Woods, CA16,05613029.7%
      Stanton, CA38,31714242.2%
      Coronita, CA3,96814342.9%
      Santa Fe Springs, CA17,64314847.8%
      Tustin, CA80,81517474.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Deerfield Beach, FL80,8221066.1%
      Auburn, WA80,91413232.1%
      Farmington Hills, MI80,93711312.6%
      Franklin, TN80,67513231.8%
      Lynchburg, VA80,970955.0%
      Tustin, CA80,81517474.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.