| Index | Laguna Beach | California | National |
| Cost of living | 326 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 819 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 119 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 120 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 122 | 127 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Laguna Beach 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 Laguna Beach cost of living index is 326, which is 226% 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 Laguna Beach 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, Laguna Beach falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Laguna 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 719.2% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 15 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Laguna Beach and this is how they responded. 27% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 73% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Laguna Beach an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Laguna Beach, the median home price is 961.2% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 154.5% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Laguna Beach come in at $194,287, which is 138.9% 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 Laguna Beach, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates kick off at 1%.
Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as 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 farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
The Laguna Beach 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 | $275,300 | $22,942 | $6,423 | $8,260 |
| Renters | $118,942 | $9,912 | $2,775 | $3,569 |
| 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. |
| Las Flores CDP (Tehama County), CA | 335 | 116 | 16.5% |
| Laguna Woods, CA | 16,656 | 135 | 34.5% |
| Santa Ana, CA | 345,160 | 161 | 60.9% |
| Midway City, CA | 8,883 | 158 | 58.5% |
| Westminster, CA | 93,920 | 171 | 70.8% |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 23,724 | 326 | 226.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Millbrae, CA | 23,726 | 287 | 186.6% |
| Taylors, SC | 23,727 | 98 | 2.0% |
| Simpsonville, SC | 23,729 | 102 | 2.3% |
| Oro-Medonte, ON | 23,738 | n/a | |
| Kingston, NY | 23,708 | 108 | 8.1% |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 23,724 | 326 | 226.2% |
Here are the best places to live in California
Safest Cities In The US
These are the largest cities in California
Most Dangerous Cities In The US