| Index | Manhattan Beach | California | National |
| Cost of living | 340 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 115 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 864 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 116 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 119 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 128 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Manhattan Beach? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Manhattan Beach stands at 340, making it 240% 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.
The cost of living in Manhattan 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, Manhattan Beach falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs significantly influence the Manhattan Beach 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 763.6%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
The routine items you regularly buy for your home, such as cleaning supplies, personal care products, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials, make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Manhattan Beach, these items cost 10.5% more than the national average, making day-to-day living a bit more expensive.
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, Manhattan Beach does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 10.5% higher than the national average.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 10 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Manhattan Beach. The results indicated that 10% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 90% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Manhattan Beach affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Manhattan Beach, the median home price is 1016.5% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 173.6% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Manhattan Beach boasting a median household income of $233,666, 187.3% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Manhattan Beach, the transportation index is 17.3% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Manhattan Beach, the general sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates begin at 1%.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Manhattan Beach, healthcare costs are 15.2% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Manhattan Beach 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 | $277,449 | $23,121 | $6,473 | $8,324 |
| Renters | $180,804 | $15,067 | $4,218 | $5,425 |
| 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% |
| Vernon, CA | 254 | 117 | 16.8% |
| Rolling Hills CDP, CA | 855 | 133 | 33.4% |
| Willowbrook, CA | 25,347 | 136 | 36.0% |
| East Rancho Dominguez, CA | 15,765 | 136 | 36.3% |
| Manhattan Beach, CA | 36,038 | 340 | 240.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| West Kelowna, BC | 36,030 | n/a | |
| Orangevale, CA | 36,046 | 139 | 38.8% |
| Pleasant Hill, CA | 35,995 | 191 | 91.2% |
| Owings Mills, MD | 35,995 | 120 | 20.0% |
| Westmont, CA | 36,088 | 144 | 43.8% |
| Manhattan Beach, CA | 36,038 | 340 | 240.2% |
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