| Index | Gilroy | California | National |
| Cost of living | 181 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 117 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 333 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 118 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 118 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 117 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 125 | 127 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Gilroy allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Gilroy stands at 181, marking it 81% higher than the national average.
The cost of living in Gilroy 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, Gilroy falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Gilroy 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 232.8% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
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 Gilroy, you can expect to pay 12.5% more than average for these everyday necessities, making it a more expensive place to live.
Is Gilroy 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 Gilroy, the median home price is 290.3% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 98.6% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Gilroy come in at $163,102, which is 100.5% 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 Gilroy, the groceries index registers 9.6% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as 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 farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Gilroy, the healthcare costs are 17.3% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Gilroy 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 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 | $197,175 | $16,431 | $4,600 | $5,916 |
| Renters | $92,225 | $7,685 | $2,152 | $2,767 |
| 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. |
| Moss Landing, CA | 33 | 117 | 16.7% |
| Pajaro, CA | 3,589 | 142 | 41.8% |
| Freedom, CA | 4,073 | 148 | 48.1% |
| Watsonville, CA | 54,199 | 152 | 52.2% |
| Hollister, CA | 41,570 | 154 | 54.1% |
| Gilroy, CA | 56,371 | 181 | 81.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Port Arthur, TX | 56,362 | 85 | 15.5% |
| Lenexa, KS | 56,388 | 111 | 10.9% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 56,346 | 89 | 11.4% |
| Bel Air South, MD | 56,444 | 123 | 22.8% |
| West Haven, CT | 56,258 | 109 | 9.5% |
| Gilroy, CA | 56,371 | 181 | 81.1% |