| Index | El Monte | California | National |
| Cost of living | 151 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 118 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 229 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 121 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 124 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 116 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 133 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in El Monte? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in El Monte stands at 151, making it 51% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in El Monte is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, El Monte falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in El Monte, 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 128.9% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Household expenses account for 8% of the cost of living index and include the products people rely on every week, from toiletries and detergent to clothing and kitchen essentials. In El Monte, household essentials are 11.2% more expensive than the U.S. average, which can leave less room in your monthly budget.
Is El Monte an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in El Monte is 166.9% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 40.2% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. El Monte has a median household income of $80,701, which is 0.8% lower than the national average.
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 El Monte starts at 7.25% and the income tax rates start at 1%.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In El Monte, healthcare costs are 17.9% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for El Monte 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.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $109,789 | $9,149 | $2,562 | $3,294 |
| Renters | $67,307 | $5,609 | $1,570 | $2,019 |
| 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% |
| El Monte, CA | 116,590 | 151 | 51.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Spring Hill, FL | 116,693 | 101 | 0.6% |
| High Point, NC | 116,418 | 95 | 4.8% |
| Temecula, CA | 116,255 | 155 | 55.4% |
| Palm Bay, FL | 116,937 | 105 | 5.3% |
| Clovis, CA | 117,046 | 132 | 32.3% |
| El Monte, CA | 116,590 | 151 | 51.1% |
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