F
42%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
108%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Hawaiian Gardens California National
Cost of living142141100
Groceries107111100
Health care113116100
Housing208197100
Transportation117118100
Utilities118119100
Lifestyle & Entertainment120120100
Household Items110111100
Education & Childcare119127100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Hawaiian Gardens, CA

Understanding the cost of living in Hawaiian Gardens 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 Hawaiian Gardens cost of living index is 142, which is 42% 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.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Hawaiian Gardens may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Hawaiian Gardens falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

When it comes to the cost of living in Hawaiian Gardens, 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 108.2% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Hawaiian Gardens Affordable?

Is Hawaiian Gardens 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 Hawaiian Gardens is 131.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 54.6% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Hawaiian Gardens has a median household income of $91,552, which is 12.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Hawaiian Gardens?

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Hawaiian Gardens, the transportation index is 16.8% higher than the national average.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Hawaiian Gardens, the utilities index registers 18.4% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Hawaiian Gardens, the groceries index is 7.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Hawaiian Gardens cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Hawaiian Gardens is 1% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Hawaiian Gardens is 42% higher than the national average
  • Hawaiian Gardens housing is 108% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Hawaiian Gardens

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Compare Hawaiian Gardens, CA Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$114,051$9,504$2,661$3,422
      Renters$59,681$4,973$1,392$1,791
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Hawaiian Gardens is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Hawaiian Gardens has a median income of about $114,051 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,661 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $59,681. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,392 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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% 13.3%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Vernon, CA25411716.8%
      Willowbrook, CA25,34713636.0%
      East Rancho Dominguez, CA15,76513636.3%
      Florence-Graham, CA66,60313838.2%
      Compton, CA98,73113938.7%
      Hawaiian Gardens, CA14,65614242.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Olympia Heights, FL14,65613030.3%
      Johnstown, CO14,65513130.7%
      West Freehold, NJ14,65714241.8%
      Johnson City, NY14,660954.9%
      Lindenhurst, IL14,6371099.3%
      Hawaiian Gardens, CA14,65614242.3%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.