| Index | Los Osos | California | National |
| Cost of living | 164 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 112 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 280 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 113 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 124 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 128 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Los Osos? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Los Osos stands at 164, making it 64% 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 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 Los Osos 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, Los Osos falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs significantly influence the Los Osos 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 180%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Is Los Osos an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Los Osos is 228.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 67.3% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Los Osos has a median household income of $122,938, which is 51.2% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Los Osos comes in at 13.3% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Los Osos, the groceries index is 7% higher 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 Los Osos, the housing index is 180% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Los Osos 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.
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $133,313 | $11,109 | $3,110 | $4,000 |
| Renters | $85,505 | $7,125 | $1,995 | $2,565 |
| 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. |
| Oceano, CA | 7,820 | 137 | 37.1% |
| Santa Margarita, CA | 1,050 | 146 | 45.8% |
| Atascadero, CA | 31,156 | 155 | 55.0% |
| Grover Beach, CA | 13,974 | 157 | 57.0% |
| Arroyo Grande, CA | 18,441 | 166 | 66.0% |
| Los Osos, CA | 16,776 | 164 | 64.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Adelphi, MD | 16,780 | 126 | 26.5% |
| Pearl River, NY | 16,781 | 145 | 45.4% |
| Buffalo, MN | 16,770 | 103 | 2.8% |
| Palmetto Estates, FL | 16,769 | 116 | 16.2% |
| Auburndale, FL | 16,784 | 102 | 1.9% |
| Los Osos, CA | 16,776 | 164 | 64.3% |
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