F
87%
Overall NAT. AVG.
16%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
255%
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 Burbank California National
Cost of living187140100
Goods & Services116111100
Groceries112112100
Health care108109100
Housing355196100
Transportation124126100
Utilities112127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Burbank, CA

Knowing the cost of living in Burbank 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 Burbank stands at 187, marking it 87% higher than the national average.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Burbank 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, Burbank falls within this bracket.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Burbank, 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 255.3% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

The things you purchase regularly, like clothes, haircuts, movie tickets and gym memberships, can make a big dent in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. Unfortunately in Burbank, these items will cost you 16.2% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

Groceries are getting more expensive by the day and the cost of groceries makes up 13% of the overall cost of living index. In the past two years, prices have shot up by over 10%! Unfortunately, in Burbank, it's the same story – grocery costs are 12.2% higher than what people pay across the country.

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

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 25 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Burbank. The feedback revealed that 20% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 80% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Burbank Affordable?

Is Burbank 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 Burbank, for instance, where the median home price falls 327.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 85.8% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Burbank flaunting a median household income of $79,212, 43.2% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Burbank?

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Burbank, the transportation index is 24.3% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Burbank, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates kick off at 1%.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including 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 farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Burbank 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 Burbank is 34% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Burbank is 87% higher than the national average
  • Burbank housing is 255% 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 Burbank

See all the best places to live around Burbank

Compare Burbank, 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$111,942$9,329$2,612$3,359
      Renters$61,609$5,134$1,437$1,848
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Burbank, CA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Burbank, the median monthly income is $111,942 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,612 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $61,609, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,437 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Burbank National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.67$24.261.7%
      Beauty Salon $49.33$45.568.3%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.41$1.289.8%
      Movie $13.46$12.1311.0%
      Bowling $19.07$18.006.0%

      Groceries

      Item Burbank National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.26$5.847.2%
      Fried Chicken $2.08$1.5732.2%
      Milk $4.76$4.671.9%
      Potatoes $4.94$4.930.2%
      Pizza $16.13$12.0933.5%
      Beer $9.60$10.417.8%

      Health Care

      Item Burbank National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.09$125.682.7%
      Doctor $119.86$135.7811.7%
      Dentist $108.07$113.294.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.36$10.652.7%
      Lipitor $505.41$468.607.9%

      Housing

      Item Burbank National avg. Difference
      Home Price $790,300.00$184,700.00327.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,799.02$2,346.6919.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,763.00$949.0085.8%

      Transportation

      Item Burbank National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.47$3.4629.3%
      Tire Balancing $58.33$59.922.6%

      Utilities

      Item Burbank National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $326.49$193.9968.3%
      Phone $182.78$192.254.9%
      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.
      Westside, CA21311615.6%
      Vernon, CA24811717.0%
      Huntington Park, CA57,76114040.3%
      Commerce, CA12,73814040.3%
      Maywood, CA27,12714040.4%
      Burbank, CA103,41118787.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rialto, CA103,54912727.3%
      El Cajon, CA103,24914746.6%
      San Mateo, CA103,619247147.3%
      Las Cruces, NM102,950918.9%
      Sparks, NV102,89512019.7%
      Burbank, CA103,41118787.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.