| Index | La Crescenta-Montrose | California | National |
| Cost of living | 199 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 119 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 385 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 122 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 118 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 123 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 135 | 127 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in La Crescenta-Montrose 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 La Crescenta-Montrose cost of living index is 199, which is 99% 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 affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in La Crescenta-Montrose is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, La Crescenta-Montrose falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in La Crescenta-Montrose, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 284.6% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, 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 La Crescenta-Montrose, you can expect to spend 13.8% more than average on these recurring essentials, which increases your overall monthly cost of living.
The surge in grocery costs is indeed alarming, especially when groceries make up a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Over the past two years, there has been an inflation of over 10% in grocery prices. Unfortunately, La Crescenta-Montrose does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 10.4% higher than the national average.
Is La Crescenta-Montrose affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take La Crescenta-Montrose, for instance, where the median home price falls 366.8% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 92.9% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with La Crescenta-Montrose flaunting a median household income of $151,833, 86.7% higher than the national norm.
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 La Crescenta-Montrose, the transportation index is 21.5% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In La Crescenta-Montrose, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 7.25%, and income tax rates start at 1%.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including 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 farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for La Crescenta-Montrose 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 | $197,044 | $16,420 | $4,597 | $5,912 |
| Renters | $94,201 | $7,850 | $2,198 | $2,826 |
| 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. |
| Westside, CA | 218 | 124 | 23.9% |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 124,794 | 145 | 45.3% |
| South El Monte, CA | 21,353 | 148 | 47.7% |
| San Fernando, CA | 24,761 | 150 | 50.5% |
| El Monte, CA | 116,590 | 151 | 51.1% |
| La Crescenta-Montrose, CA | 20,963 | 199 | 98.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Woodbridge, NJ | 20,955 | 127 | 27.0% |
| Cherry Hill, VA | 20,952 | 128 | 28.5% |
| Prunedale, CA | 20,978 | 166 | 66.4% |
| Albany, CA | 20,944 | 207 | 106.5% |
| Crest Hill, IL | 20,983 | 101 | 0.7% |
| La Crescenta-Montrose, CA | 20,963 | 199 | 98.7% |
Here are the best places to live in California
See the best places to live in La Crescenta-Montrose
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
These are the 10 cheapest cities in California