| Index | Milpitas | California | National |
| Cost of living | 217 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 114 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 446 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 123 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 120 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 126 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 131 | 127 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Milpitas can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Milpitas cost of living index is 217, which is 117% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Milpitas 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, Milpitas falls within this bracket.
Housing costs significantly influence the Milpitas 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 346.1%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Milpitas, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 10.8% higher than the national average.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 11 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Milpitas. The results indicated that 27% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 73% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Milpitas 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 Milpitas is 419% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 176% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Milpitas has a median household income of $206,830, which is 154.3% 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 Milpitas, the housing index is 346.1% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Milpitas, the transportation index is 23.4% higher than the national average.
The Milpitas 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 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 | $227,104 | $18,925 | $5,299 | $6,814 |
| Renters | $165,603 | $13,800 | $3,864 | $4,969 |
| 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. |
| Mountain View CDP, CA | 2,675 | 134 | 33.5% |
| Alum Rock, CA | 12,233 | 189 | 88.9% |
| Newark, CA | 49,971 | 195 | 95.1% |
| Union City, CA | 76,617 | 201 | 101.1% |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 30,529 | 213 | 113.4% |
| Milpitas, CA | 77,004 | 217 | 116.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Rock Hill, SC | 76,923 | 98 | 1.8% |
| Rancho Cordova, CA | 77,119 | 132 | 31.9% |
| Centreville, VA | 77,124 | 142 | 41.7% |
| Gary, IN | 77,151 | 81 | 19.3% |
| Pasco, WA | 76,821 | 113 | 12.8% |
| Milpitas, CA | 77,004 | 217 | 116.6% |
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