F
73%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
210%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Claremont California National
Cost of living173141100
Groceries109111100
Health care113116100
Housing310197100
Transportation112118100
Utilities119119100
Lifestyle & Entertainment113120100
Household Items112111100
Education & Childcare122127100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Claremont, CA

The cost of living in Claremont 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 Claremont is 173, which is 73% 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 value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Claremont may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Claremont falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Claremont, 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 209.9% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Household expenses make up 8% of the total cost of living index score and cover the everyday essentials needed to keep your home running smoothly. These items may include cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials. In Claremont, you can expect to pay 11.8% more than average for these everyday necessities, making it a more expensive place to live.

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

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 6 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Claremont. The results indicated that 83% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 17% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Claremont Affordable?

Wondering if Claremont is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Claremont, for example, the median home price is 269.4% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 71.1% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Claremont boasting a median household income of $148,231, which is 82.3% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Claremont?

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 Claremont, healthcare costs are 12.5% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Claremont, the groceries index is 9.4% 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.

Where is the Data From?

The Claremont 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 Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Claremont is 23% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Claremont is 73% higher than the national average
  • Claremont housing is 210% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Claremont

See all the best places to live around Claremont

Compare Claremont, CA Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$202,965$16,914$4,736$6,090
      Renters$93,010$7,751$2,170$2,791
      The affordability of the housing market in Claremont, CA as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Claremont homeowners, the median income is $202,965. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $4,736 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $93,010. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $2,170 for their rent related monthly costs.

      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% 13.3%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lytle Creek, CA67113333.4%
      Industry, CA26913737.1%
      Fontana, CA220,41214141.4%
      Montclair, CA41,01413938.5%
      Jurupa Valley, CA110,86214141.5%
      Claremont, CA36,49517372.5%

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      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Penticton, BC36,498n/a 
      La Porte, TX36,484982.0%
      Tooele, UT36,4701065.7%
      South Miami Heights, FL36,52211211.9%
      Temple City, CA36,53118079.8%
      Claremont, CA36,49517372.5%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.