F
119%
Overall NAT. AVG.
16%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
340%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Marina del Rey California National
Cost of living219141100
Groceries116111100
Health care122116100
Housing440197100
Transportation122118100
Utilities125119100
Lifestyle & Entertainment130120100
Household Items115111100
Education & Childcare148127100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Marina del Rey, CA

Knowing the cost of living in Marina del Rey 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 Marina del Rey stands at 219, marking it 119% higher than the national average.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Marina del Rey may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Marina del Rey falls within this bracket.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Marina del Rey cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 340.3% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday household expenses like cleaning products, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics can quickly add up over time and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Marina del Rey, you can expect to spend 15.3% more than average on these recurring essentials, which increases your overall monthly cost of living.

The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in Marina del Rey is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 16.2% higher than the national average.

Is Marina del Rey Affordable?

Is Marina del Rey 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 Marina del Rey, the median home price is 393.8% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 215.6% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Marina del Rey come in at $181,503, which is 123.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Marina del Rey?

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 Marina del Rey, healthcare costs are 21.5% 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 Marina del Rey comes in at 24.9% 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 Marina del Rey, the housing index is 340.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Marina del Rey cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Marina del Rey is 55% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Marina del Rey is 119% higher than the national average
  • Marina del Rey housing is 340% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Marina del Rey

See all the best places to live around Marina del Rey

Compare Marina del Rey, CA Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$0$0$0$0
      Renters$181,624$15,135$4,238$5,449
      The affordability of the housing market in Marina del Rey, CA as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Marina del Rey homeowners, the median income is $0. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $0 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $181,624. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $4,238 for their rent related monthly costs.

      California Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      California 7.25% 10.5%

      California Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      California 1% 13.3%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Westside, CA21812423.9%
      Vernon, CA25411716.8%
      Rolling Hills CDP, CA85513333.4%
      Willowbrook, CA25,34713636.0%
      East Rancho Dominguez, CA15,76513636.3%
      Marina del Rey, CA10,341219118.8%

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      Citrus, CA10,33915151.4%
      Harrisonville, MO10,343909.6%
      Berlin, NH10,3368811.7%
      Highland, IL10,335945.7%
      Marina del Rey, CA10,341219118.8%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.