| Index | Cerritos | California | National |
| Cost of living | 186 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 352 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 114 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 120 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 120 | 127 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Cerritos 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 Cerritos cost of living index is 186, which is 86% 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 prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Cerritos may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Cerritos falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Cerritos, 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 252.2% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
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 Cerritos, it's the same story – grocery costs are 10.9% higher than what people pay across the country.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 6 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Cerritos and this is how they responded. 0% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 100% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Cerritos 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 Cerritos, for instance, where the median home price falls 293.5% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 155.7% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Cerritos flaunting a median household income of $161,145, 98.1% higher than the national norm.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Cerritos, healthcare costs are 13.3% 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: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Cerritos starts at 7.25% and the income tax rates start at 1%.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Cerritos 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.
| 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 | $166,100 | $13,842 | $3,875 | $4,983 |
| Renters | $142,714 | $11,893 | $3,330 | $4,282 |
| 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% |
| Cerritos, CA | 50,765 | 186 | 85.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Wilson, NC | 50,769 | 93 | 6.9% |
| Murray, UT | 50,780 | 117 | 17.2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 50,810 | 87 | 12.6% |
| San Jacinto, CA | 50,682 | 122 | 21.9% |
| Florin, CA | 50,631 | 122 | 22.4% |
| Cerritos, CA | 50,765 | 186 | 85.9% |
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