| Index | Fountain Valley | California | National |
| Cost of living | 189 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 363 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 115 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 118 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 123 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Fountain Valley? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Fountain Valley stands at 189, making it 89% 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.
The cost of living in Fountain Valley 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, Fountain Valley 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 Fountain Valley, 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 263% 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 Fountain Valley, these items cost 13.3% more than the national average, making day-to-day living a bit more expensive.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 5 residents in Fountain Valley to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 40% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 60% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Fountain Valley is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Fountain Valley, for example, the median home price is 325.7% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 116.6% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Fountain Valley boasting a median household income of $131,757, which is 62% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Fountain Valley, the groceries index registers 8.8% higher than the national average.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Fountain Valley, the housing index comes in at 263% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Fountain Valley, the transportation index is 17.3% higher than the national average.
The Fountain Valley cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $162,495 | $13,541 | $3,791 | $4,875 |
| Renters | $92,003 | $7,667 | $2,147 | $2,760 |
| 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. |
| Laguna Woods, CA | 16,656 | 135 | 34.5% |
| East Rancho Dominguez, CA | 15,765 | 136 | 36.3% |
| Paramount, CA | 55,175 | 141 | 40.7% |
| Lynwood, CA | 71,286 | 142 | 41.8% |
| Hawaiian Gardens, CA | 14,656 | 142 | 42.3% |
| Fountain Valley, CA | 57,666 | 189 | 89.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | 57,669 | 111 | 11.2% |
| Tinley Park, IL | 57,746 | 110 | 10.4% |
| Dearborn Heights, MI | 57,763 | 92 | 8.0% |
| Tamiami, FL | 57,787 | 127 | 26.7% |
| Kendale Lakes, FL | 57,544 | 120 | 20.2% |
| Fountain Valley, CA | 57,666 | 189 | 89.2% |
Here are the best places to live in California
Most Dangerous States In The US
Check out the 10 safest cities in California
Safest Cities In The US