F
28%
Overall NAT. AVG.
18%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
52%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Colton California National
Cost of living128143100
Goods & Services118115100
Groceries109108100
Health care93103100
Housing152197100
Transportation138136100
Utilities122144100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Colton, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Colton is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Colton is 128, which is 28% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

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

When it comes to the cost of living in Colton, 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 51.9% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Colton, you you will have to spend 17.6% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

Is Colton Affordable?

Is Colton an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Colton, the median home price is 62.1% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 28.1% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Colton come in at $83,361, which is 2.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Colton?

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Colton, the utilities index stands at 21.9% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

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 Colton, the housing index is 51.9% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Colton cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Colton is 11% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in Colton is 28% higher than the national average
  • Colton housing is 52% 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 Colton

See all the best places to live around Colton

Compare Colton, CA Cost of Living

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      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$110,792$9,233$2,585$3,324
      Renters$62,466$5,206$1,457$1,874
      The affordability of the housing market in Colton, 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 Colton homeowners, the median income is $110,792. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $2,585 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $62,466. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,457 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%

      Goods & Services

      Item Colton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.92$27.622.5%
      Beauty Salon $92.22$51.1180.5%
      Toothpaste $3.93$4.094.0%
      Shampoo $1.58$1.542.5%
      Movie $17.39$12.8835.0%
      Yoga $31.33$19.6659.4%

      Groceries

      Item Colton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.34$7.704.7%
      Fried Chicken $3.37$1.66102.7%
      Milk $5.06$4.736.9%
      Potatoes $4.85$5.267.7%
      Pizza $16.13$12.7626.4%
      Beer $11.24$10.556.5%

      Health Care

      Item Colton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $160.00$140.0614.2%
      Doctor $131.67$153.8214.4%
      Dentist $125.75$123.152.1%
      Ibuprofen $12.24$11.734.3%
      Lipitor $17.53$23.6125.8%

      Housing

      Item Colton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $529,542.00$326,622.0062.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $7,772.24$2,480.25213.4%
      Apartment Rent $1,850.00$1,444.0028.1%

      Transportation

      Item Colton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.48$3.0646.6%
      Tire Balancing $76.80$65.2117.8%

      Utilities

      Item Colton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $306.96$220.1239.5%
      Phone $182.71$195.716.6%
      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.
      San Bernardino, CA221,91012423.6%
      Crestline, CA9,72312424.4%
      Running Springs, CA4,50912524.8%
      Muscoy, CA11,80912625.8%
      Mentone, CA10,47112929.1%
      Colton, CA55,95612828.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Mount Prospect, IL55,99612323.2%
      Tigard, OR55,91013838.2%
      Westchester, FL55,88312625.8%
      Brookhaven, GA55,87414444.1%
      Aloha, OR55,86513029.6%
      Colton, CA55,95612828.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.