| Index | Atwater | California | National |
| Cost of living | 119 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 115 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 130 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 116 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 119 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 117 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 125 | 127 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Atwater allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Atwater stands at 119, marking it 19% higher than the national average.
When it comes to the cost of living in Atwater, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 30.2% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Atwater an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Atwater is 39.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 9.3% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Atwater has a median household income of $85,889, which is 5.6% higher than the national average.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Atwater, the transportation index is 16.2% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Atwater, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.
The cost of living data for Atwater shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $109,488 | $9,124 | $2,555 | $3,285 |
| Renters | $66,002 | $5,500 | $1,540 | $1,980 |
| 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. |
| Bear Creek, CA | 97 | 119 | 18.6% |
| Stevinson, CA | 202 | 117 | 16.8% |
| Tuttle, CA | 100 | 119 | 18.6% |
| University of California-Merced, CA | 0 | 119 | 18.6% |
| Snelling, CA | 117 | 107 | 7.0% |
| Atwater, CA | 30,996 | 119 | 19.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Chambly, QC | 30,986 | n/a | |
| North Tonawanda, NY | 31,006 | 99 | 0.8% |
| New Bern, NC | 30,984 | 95 | 4.6% |
| Newington, CT | 31,008 | 112 | 12.3% |
| Golden Gate, FL | 31,030 | 114 | 13.7% |
| Atwater, CA | 30,996 | 119 | 19.4% |
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