F
236%
Overall NAT. AVG.
18%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
745%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Newport Beach California National
Cost of living336143100
Goods & Services118115100
Groceries109108100
Health care93103100
Housing845197100
Transportation138136100
Utilities122144100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Newport Beach, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Newport Beach 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 Newport Beach is 336, which is 236% 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.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Newport Beach 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, Newport Beach falls within this bracket.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Newport Beach, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 744.7% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Newport Beach, these items will cost you 17.6% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Newport Beach?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 33 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Newport Beach and this is how they responded. 18% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 82% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Newport Beach Affordable?

Is Newport Beach affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Newport Beach, for instance, where the median home price falls 1000.8% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 147% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Newport Beach flaunting a median household income of $200,001, 145.9% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Newport Beach?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Newport Beach, the healthcare costs are 6.6% lower than the national average.

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 Newport Beach, the transportation index is 38.1% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Newport Beach, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.

Where is the Data From?

The Newport Beach cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Newport Beach is 135% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Newport Beach is 236% higher than the national average
  • Newport Beach housing is 745% 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 Newport Beach

See all the best places to live around Newport Beach

Compare Newport Beach, CA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$273,680$22,807$6,385$8,211
      Renters$151,512$12,626$3,535$4,546
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Newport Beach, CA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Newport Beach, the median monthly income is $273,680 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $6,385 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $151,512, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $3,535 on monthly rental expenses.

      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%

      Goods & Services

      Item Newport Beach National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.92$27.622.5%
      Beauty Salon $92.22$51.1180.5%
      Toothpaste $3.93$4.094.0%
      Shampoo $1.58$1.542.5%
      Movie $17.39$12.8835.0%
      Yoga $31.33$19.6659.4%

      Groceries

      Item Newport Beach National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.34$7.704.7%
      Fried Chicken $3.37$1.66102.7%
      Milk $5.06$4.736.9%
      Potatoes $4.85$5.267.7%
      Pizza $16.13$12.7626.4%
      Beer $11.24$10.556.5%

      Health Care

      Item Newport Beach National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $160.00$140.0614.2%
      Doctor $131.67$153.8214.4%
      Dentist $125.75$123.152.1%
      Ibuprofen $12.24$11.734.3%
      Lipitor $17.53$23.6125.8%

      Housing

      Item Newport Beach National avg. Difference
      Home Price $3,595,399.00$326,622.001,000.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $7,772.24$2,480.25213.4%
      Apartment Rent $3,567.00$1,444.00147.0%

      Transportation

      Item Newport Beach National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.48$3.0646.6%
      Tire Balancing $76.80$65.2117.8%

      Utilities

      Item Newport Beach National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $306.96$220.1239.5%
      Phone $182.71$195.716.6%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Laguna Woods, CA16,65613736.7%
      Hawaiian Gardens, CA14,65614545.1%
      Stanton, CA39,11015049.5%
      Seal Beach, CA25,20815150.9%
      Signal Hill, CA11,86615958.9%
      Newport Beach, CA90,043336236.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Waukegan, IL90,0631000.2%
      O'Fallon, MO90,0201043.5%
      Citrus Heights, CA90,37313434.3%
      Ogden, UT90,520981.9%
      Newton, MA90,578208108.4%
      Newport Beach, CA90,043336236.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.