| Index | Bell | California | National |
| Cost of living | 142 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 115 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 209 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 113 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 116 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 120 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 120 | 127 | 100 |

The cost of living in Bell affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Bell is 142, which is 42% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Bell 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, Bell falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Bell cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 109.1% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Everyday household expenses like cleaning products, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics can quickly add up over time and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Bell, you can expect to spend 10.9% more than average on these recurring essentials, which increases your overall monthly cost of living.
Is Bell 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 Bell is 144.1% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 27.4% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Bell has a median household income of $69,817, which is 14.2% lower than the national average.
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 Bell, the utilities index registers at 16.3% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Bell, the transportation index is 13.3% higher than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Bell, the housing index is 109.1% higher than the national average.
The Bell cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $117,744 | $9,812 | $2,747 | $3,533 |
| Renters | $57,905 | $4,825 | $1,351 | $1,737 |
| 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% |
| Bell, CA | 36,113 | 142 | 42.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lebanon, TN | 36,126 | 109 | 8.6% |
| Westmont, CA | 36,088 | 144 | 43.8% |
| Monroe, NC | 36,140 | 99 | 1.4% |
| Gadsden, AL | 36,146 | 82 | 18.3% |
| Post Falls, ID | 36,171 | 111 | 10.6% |
| Bell, CA | 36,113 | 142 | 42.4% |