D-
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
15%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; 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 Exeter California National
Cost of living115140100
Goods & Services105111100
Groceries107112100
Health care93109100
Housing115196100
Transportation127126100
Utilities157127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Exeter, CA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Exeter? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Exeter stands at 115, making it 15% 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.

Is Exeter Affordable?

Is Exeter 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 Exeter, the median home price is 21.3% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 1.9% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Exeter come in at $48,605, which is 12.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Exeter?

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Exeter, the transportation index is 27.2% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, 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. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Exeter displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Exeter is 17% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in Exeter is 15% higher than the national average
  • Exeter housing is 15% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 56% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Exeter

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Compare Exeter, CA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      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$67,530$5,628$1,576$2,026
      Renters$31,934$2,661$745$958
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Exeter, CA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Exeter have a median income of $67,530. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,576 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $31,934, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $745.

      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% 12.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item Exeter National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.25$24.268.2%
      Beauty Salon $89.33$45.5696.1%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.48$1.2815.6%
      Movie $18.12$12.1349.4%
      Bowling $22.67$18.0025.9%

      Groceries

      Item Exeter National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.77$5.841.1%
      Fried Chicken $2.63$1.5767.0%
      Milk $4.91$4.675.0%
      Potatoes $4.90$4.930.6%
      Pizza $13.49$12.0911.6%
      Beer $11.13$10.416.9%

      Health Care

      Item Exeter National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $142.20$125.6813.1%
      Doctor $131.33$135.783.3%
      Dentist $131.50$113.2916.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.78$10.6510.6%
      Lipitor $508.17$468.608.4%

      Housing

      Item Exeter National avg. Difference
      Home Price $224,000.00$184,700.0021.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,847.37$2,346.69149.2%
      Apartment Rent $967.00$949.001.9%

      Transportation

      Item Exeter National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.62$3.4633.6%
      Tire Balancing $61.00$59.921.8%

      Utilities

      Item Exeter National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $231.40$193.9919.3%
      Phone $193.81$192.250.8%
      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.
      El Rancho, CA011515.0%
      Monson, CA21011515.0%
      Tonyville, CA23611515.0%
      Plainview, CA610954.7%
      Linnell Camp, CA837973.4%
      Exeter, CA10,43311515.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Whitecourt, AB10,433n/a 
      Prineville, OR10,4291033.4%
      Elizabethtown-Kitley, ON10,437n/a 
      Ponoka County, AB10,437n/a 
      Silverton, OR10,42612222.5%
      Exeter, CA10,43311515.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.