| Index | Livingston | California | National |
| Cost of living | 118 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 115 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 124 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 116 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 119 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 117 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 125 | 127 | 100 |

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Livingston is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Livingston is 118, which is 18% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Livingston 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 23.8% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Wondering if Livingston 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 Livingston, for example, the median home price is 27.8% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 14.5% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Livingston boasting a median household income of $88,165, which is 8.4% 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 Livingston, the transportation index is 16.2% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Livingston, the groceries index registers 7.9% higher than the national average.
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 cost of living estimates displayed for Livingston 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 | $110,887 | $9,241 | $2,587 | $3,327 |
| Renters | $70,879 | $5,907 | $1,654 | $2,127 |
| 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. |
| Stevinson, CA | 202 | 117 | 16.8% |
| Cowan, CA | 486 | 114 | 14.4% |
| Winton, CA | 12,045 | 109 | 8.9% |
| Cressey, CA | 253 | 115 | 15.1% |
| Franklin, CA | 7,915 | 118 | 17.9% |
| Livingston, CA | 14,885 | 118 | 17.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| High River, AB | 14,888 | n/a | |
| Calera, AL | 14,874 | 96 | 3.9% |
| Thibodaux, LA | 14,873 | 95 | 5.3% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | 14,870 | 90 | 10.5% |
| Corinth, MS | 14,869 | 88 | 12.1% |
| Livingston, CA | 14,885 | 118 | 17.5% |