F
74%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
216%
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 El Dorado Hills California National
Cost of living174141100
Groceries108111100
Health care112116100
Housing316197100
Transportation116118100
Utilities117119100
Lifestyle & Entertainment115120100
Household Items109111100
Education & Childcare125127100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in El Dorado Hills, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in El Dorado Hills 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 El Dorado Hills is 174, which is 74% 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, El Dorado Hills 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, El Dorado Hills falls within this bracket.

Housing costs are a major factor in the El Dorado Hills cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 215.8% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Is El Dorado Hills Affordable?

Is El Dorado Hills affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in El Dorado Hills, the median home price is 264% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 103.5% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with El Dorado Hills boasting a median household income of $198,149, 143.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in El Dorado Hills?

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In El Dorado Hills, the utilities index registers 17.3% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In El Dorado Hills, healthcare costs are 11.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living estimates displayed for El Dorado Hills 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 Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in El Dorado Hills is 24% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in El Dorado Hills is 74% higher than the national average
  • El Dorado Hills housing is 216% 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 El Dorado Hills

See all the best places to live around El Dorado Hills

Compare El Dorado Hills, CA Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in El Dorado Hills?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in El Dorado Hills?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all El Dorado Hills poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$218,219$18,185$5,091$6,547
      Renters$99,702$8,309$2,326$2,991
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in El Dorado Hills, CA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for El Dorado Hills homeowners, is $218,219. This would allow for a maximum of $5,091 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $99,702 which would result in a maximum of $2,326 to be spent on rental 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.
      Cold Springs CDP (Tuolumne County), CA12811413.8%
      Cold Springs, CA698954.9%
      Plymouth, CA1,06712221.9%
      Citrus Heights, CA90,37313232.0%
      Rancho Cordova, CA77,11913231.9%
      El Dorado Hills, CA48,62517474.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Burleson, TX48,6151044.0%
      Charleston, WV48,539928.1%
      Charlottesville, VA48,74812222.2%
      Roseville, MI48,4718911.3%
      Shawinigan, QC48,810n/a 
      El Dorado Hills, CA48,62517474.4%
      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.