| Index | Alhambra | California | National |
| Cost of living | 169 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 120 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 290 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 118 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 119 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 129 | 127 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Alhambra can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Alhambra cost of living index is 169, which is 69% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Alhambra may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Alhambra falls within this bracket.
Housing costs significantly influence the Alhambra 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 190%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
The routine items you regularly buy for your home, such as cleaning supplies, personal care products, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials, make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Alhambra, these items cost 13.5% more than the national average, making day-to-day living a bit more expensive.
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, Alhambra does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 10.4% higher than the national average.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 7 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Alhambra. The results indicated that 71% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 29% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Alhambra 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 Alhambra, the median home price is 247.3% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 56.4% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Alhambra come in at $97,908, which is 20.4% higher than the national average.
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 costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Alhambra, the healthcare costs are 19.5% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Alhambra, the utilities index stands at 17.5% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Alhambra are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $134,502 | $11,209 | $3,138 | $4,035 |
| Renters | $79,937 | $6,661 | $1,865 | $2,398 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Vernon, CA | 254 | 117 | 16.8% |
| Willowbrook, CA | 25,347 | 136 | 36.0% |
| East Rancho Dominguez, CA | 15,765 | 136 | 36.3% |
| Florence-Graham, CA | 66,603 | 138 | 38.2% |
| Compton, CA | 98,731 | 139 | 38.7% |
| Alhambra, CA | 86,913 | 169 | 69.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Danbury, CT | 86,891 | 125 | 25.5% |
| Lake Forest, CA | 86,858 | 181 | 80.5% |
| Johns Creek, GA | 87,090 | 133 | 32.6% |
| Redwood City, CA | 87,093 | 269 | 168.7% |
| Santa Fe, NM | 86,648 | 111 | 11.1% |
| Alhambra, CA | 86,913 | 169 | 69.0% |
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