| Index | Isla Vista | California | National |
| Cost of living | 132 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 116 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 174 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 114 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 118 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 117 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 118 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Isla Vista? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Isla Vista stands at 132, making it 32% 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.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Isla Vista may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Isla Vista falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Isla Vista 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 73.9% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Everyday household expenses like cleaning products, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics can quickly add up over time and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Isla Vista, you can expect to spend 11.4% more than average on these recurring essentials, which increases your overall monthly cost of living.
Is Isla Vista affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Isla Vista, the median home price is 100% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 73.9% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Isla Vista boasting a median household income of $31,427, 61.4% lower than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Isla Vista, the housing index is 73.9% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Isla Vista, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
The Isla Vista cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for 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 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Renters | $30,905 | $2,575 | $721 | $927 |
| 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. |
| Goleta, CA | 33,194 | 192 | 92.2% |
| Santa Ynez, CA | 4,869 | 195 | 95.4% |
| Ballard, CA | 784 | 208 | 108.4% |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 94,185 | 225 | 124.6% |
| Mission Canyon, CA | 2,752 | 246 | 145.5% |
| Isla Vista, CA | 16,124 | 132 | 31.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| La Grange, IL | 16,121 | 142 | 42.0% |
| Wilmington Island, GA | 16,119 | 114 | 13.7% |
| Traverse City, MI | 16,116 | 110 | 10.0% |
| Morton, IL | 16,134 | 102 | 1.6% |
| Parlier, CA | 16,139 | 111 | 11.4% |
| Isla Vista, CA | 16,124 | 132 | 31.8% |
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