| Index | Delhi | California | National |
| Cost of living | 124 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 116 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 141 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 115 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 118 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 123 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 127 | 127 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Delhi 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 Delhi stands at 124, marking it 24% higher than the national average.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Delhi 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, Delhi falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
When it comes to the cost of living in Delhi, 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 41.3% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
The routine items you regularly buy for your home, such as cleaning supplies, personal care products, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials, make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Delhi, these items cost 10.7% more than the national average, making day-to-day living a bit more expensive.
The surge in grocery costs is indeed alarming, especially when groceries make up a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Over the past two years, there has been an inflation of over 10% in grocery prices. Unfortunately, Delhi does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 12.9% higher than the national average.
Is Delhi 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 Delhi, for instance, where the median home price falls 48.6% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 24.4% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Delhi flaunting a median household income of $95,162, 17% higher than the national norm.
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 Delhi starts at 7.25% and the income tax rates start at 1%.
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.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Delhi, is 41.3% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Delhi shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between 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 | $109,405 | $9,117 | $2,553 | $3,282 |
| Renters | $79,475 | $6,623 | $1,854 | $2,384 |
| 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. |
| Monterey Park Tract, CA | 304 | 114 | 14.4% |
| Stevinson, CA | 202 | 117 | 16.8% |
| Cowan, CA | 486 | 114 | 14.4% |
| Parklawn, CA | 1,891 | 107 | 6.8% |
| Airport, CA | 1,306 | 111 | 10.8% |
| Delhi, CA | 12,257 | 124 | 24.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Claiborne, LA | 12,252 | 96 | 3.7% |
| Pecos, TX | 12,252 | 88 | 12.2% |
| Sedro-Woolley, WA | 12,262 | 120 | 19.5% |
| Hasbrouck Heights, NJ | 12,269 | 141 | 40.7% |
| Union, MO | 12,241 | 92 | 7.7% |
| Delhi, CA | 12,257 | 124 | 24.1% |