F
192%
Overall NAT. AVG.
21%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
597%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Hermosa Beach California National
Cost of living292143100
Goods & Services121115100
Groceries109108100
Health care96103100
Housing697197100
Transportation138136100
Utilities109144100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Hermosa Beach, CA

The cost of living in Hermosa Beach affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Hermosa Beach is 292, which is 192% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Hermosa Beach may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Hermosa Beach falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Hermosa Beach cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 597.5% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Hermosa Beach goods and services are 21% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Hermosa Beach?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 5 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Hermosa Beach. The feedback revealed that 20% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 80% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Hermosa Beach Affordable?

Wondering if Hermosa Beach 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 Hermosa Beach, for example, the median home price is 795.6% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 135.2% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Hermosa Beach boasting a median household income of $211,942, which is 160.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Hermosa Beach?

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Hermosa Beach, the transportation index stands at 37.9% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Hermosa Beach, the utilities index stands at 8.9% higher than the national average.

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 Hermosa Beach, the healthcare costs are 3.6% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Hermosa Beach 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.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Hermosa Beach is 104% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Hermosa Beach is 192% higher than the national average
  • Hermosa Beach housing is 597% 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 Hermosa Beach

See all the best places to live around Hermosa Beach

Compare Hermosa Beach, 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$283,169$23,597$6,607$8,496
      Renters$187,549$15,629$4,376$5,627
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Hermosa Beach, CA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Hermosa Beach homeowners, is $283,169. This would allow for a maximum of $6,607 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $187,549 which would result in a maximum of $4,376 to be spent on rental costs.

      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%

      Goods & Services

      Item Hermosa Beach National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.50$27.6210.4%
      Beauty Salon $103.42$51.11102.4%
      Toothpaste $4.01$4.092.0%
      Shampoo $1.58$1.542.5%
      Movie $19.57$12.8852.0%
      Yoga $25.22$19.6628.3%

      Groceries

      Item Hermosa Beach National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.52$7.702.4%
      Fried Chicken $3.59$1.66116.0%
      Milk $5.05$4.736.7%
      Potatoes $4.84$5.267.9%
      Pizza $17.09$12.7633.9%
      Beer $11.22$10.556.4%

      Health Care

      Item Hermosa Beach National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $164.27$140.0617.3%
      Doctor $132.64$153.8213.8%
      Dentist $133.17$123.158.1%
      Ibuprofen $12.21$11.734.1%
      Lipitor $17.86$23.6124.4%

      Housing

      Item Hermosa Beach National avg. Difference
      Home Price $2,925,235.00$326,622.00795.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $6,403.73$2,480.25158.2%
      Apartment Rent $3,396.00$1,444.00135.2%

      Transportation

      Item Hermosa Beach National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.48$3.0646.6%
      Tire Balancing $76.25$65.2116.9%

      Utilities

      Item Hermosa Beach National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $251.64$220.1214.3%
      Phone $196.21$195.710.3%
      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.
      Westside, CA21811818.1%
      Vernon, CA25411818.0%
      Rolling Hills CDP, CA85513736.8%
      Willowbrook, CA25,34713736.8%
      East Rancho Dominguez, CA15,76513837.9%
      Hermosa Beach, CA19,749292191.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      North Liberty, IA19,7491043.6%
      Mineola, NY19,74815959.0%
      Erlanger, KY19,751955.4%
      Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC19,745n/a 
      Phelan, CA19,73912525.4%
      Hermosa Beach, CA19,749292191.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.