| Index | Golden Hills | California | National |
| Cost of living | 124 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 116 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 140 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 120 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 118 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 123 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 129 | 127 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Golden Hills 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 Golden Hills cost of living index is 124, which is 24% 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 Golden Hills 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, Golden Hills falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs significantly influence the Golden Hills cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 39.8%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Golden Hills, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 10.5% higher than the national average.
Is Golden Hills 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 Golden Hills is 54.9% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 4.6% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Golden Hills has a median household income of $116,503, which is 43.2% higher than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Golden Hills, the housing index is 39.8% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Golden Hills, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates kick off at 1%.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
The cost of living data for Golden Hills 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 | $131,679 | $10,973 | $3,072 | $3,951 |
| Renters | $96,087 | $8,007 | $2,242 | $2,883 |
| 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. |
| Tehachapi, CA | 13,179 | 118 | 17.7% |
| Bear Valley Springs, CA | 5,435 | 129 | 28.7% |
| Stallion Springs, CA | 3,056 | 136 | 35.8% |
| Keene, CA | 266 | 144 | 44.1% |
| Golden Hills, CA | 10,470 | 124 | 24.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Mentone, CA | 10,471 | 128 | 27.5% |
| Cedar Hills, UT | 10,472 | 133 | 32.9% |
| Mount Airy, NC | 10,467 | 90 | 10.0% |
| Bromont, QC | 10,466 | n/a | |
| London, OH | 10,474 | 92 | 8.1% |
| Golden Hills, CA | 10,470 | 124 | 24.0% |
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