| Index | Emeryville | California | National |
| Cost of living | 171 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 116 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 114 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 284 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 126 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 123 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 132 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 139 | 127 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Emeryville can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Emeryville cost of living index is 171, which is 71% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Emeryville is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Emeryville falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Emeryville, 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 184.5% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, 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 Emeryville, you can expect to pay 13.7% more than average for these everyday necessities, making it a more expensive place to live.
Groceries are getting more expensive by the day and the cost of groceries makes up 13% of the overall cost of living index. In the past two years, prices have shot up by over 10%! Unfortunately, in Emeryville, it's the same story – grocery costs are 16.2% higher than what people pay across the country.
Is Emeryville 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 Emeryville is 193.5% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 163.4% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Emeryville has a median household income of $155,319, which is 91% higher than the national average.
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 Emeryville, is 184.5% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Emeryville, the general sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates begin at 1%.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Emeryville comes in at 23.3% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Emeryville 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 | $186,252 | $15,521 | $4,346 | $5,588 |
| Renters | $144,722 | $12,060 | $3,377 | $4,342 |
| 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. |
| Port Costa, CA | 251 | 115 | 14.6% |
| Strawberry CDP (Tuolumne County), CA | 119 | 115 | 15.1% |
| Pacheco, CA | 4,956 | 111 | 11.4% |
| San Miguel CDP (San Luis Obispo County), CA | 2,800 | 130 | 29.5% |
| El Cerrito CDP, CA | 5,896 | 141 | 41.1% |
| Emeryville, CA | 12,131 | 171 | 71.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Crossville, TN | 12,131 | 95 | 5.2% |
| Grafton, WI | 12,131 | 106 | 6.2% |
| Dent, OH | 12,130 | 104 | 4.0% |
| Bucyrus, OH | 12,135 | 83 | 16.5% |
| Webb City, MO | 12,139 | 87 | 12.8% |
| Emeryville, CA | 12,131 | 171 | 71.1% |
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