| Index | Lathrop | California | National |
| Cost of living | 142 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 120 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 201 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 118 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 121 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 120 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 130 | 127 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Lathrop allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Lathrop stands at 142, marking it 42% higher than the national average.
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 Lathrop 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, Lathrop falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs significantly influence the Lathrop cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 101.2%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Recurring household expenses such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics are a steady part of monthly spending and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Lathrop, these everyday items will cost you 10.5% more than average, making it a slightly more expensive place to call home.
Is Lathrop 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 Lathrop, for instance, where the median home price falls 109.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 80.8% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Lathrop flaunting a median household income of $132,744, 63.2% higher than the national norm.
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 Lathrop, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Lathrop, the utilities index registers at 21.1% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Lathrop, the transportation index is 18% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Lathrop shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between 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 | $152,106 | $12,676 | $3,549 | $4,564 |
| Renters | $92,471 | $7,706 | $2,158 | $2,774 |
| 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. |
| Farmington, CA | 175 | 117 | 17.2% |
| Rouse, CA | 1,724 | 112 | 11.9% |
| Kennedy, CA | 2,977 | 113 | 13.4% |
| August, CA | 8,218 | 114 | 13.7% |
| Garden Acres, CA | 10,318 | 116 | 16.0% |
| Lathrop, CA | 24,457 | 142 | 42.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Ponca City, OK | 24,463 | 85 | 15.3% |
| North Haven, CT | 24,450 | 124 | 24.0% |
| Forney, TX | 24,467 | 106 | 6.1% |
| Saginaw, TX | 24,477 | 103 | 3.5% |
| Essa, ON | 24,435 | n/a | |
| Lathrop, CA | 24,457 | 142 | 42.4% |