| Index | Newport Beach | California | National |
| Cost of living | 337 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 118 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 845 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 125 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 133 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 137 | 127 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Newport Beach? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Newport Beach stands at 337, making it 237% 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 you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Newport Beach may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Newport Beach falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Newport Beach cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 744.7% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Recurring household expenses such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics are a steady part of monthly spending and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Newport Beach, these everyday items will cost you 13.5% more than average, making it a slightly more expensive place to call home.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 33 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Newport Beach. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 18% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 82% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Newport 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 Newport Beach, the median home price is 1000.8% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 147% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Newport Beach boasting a median household income of $200,001, 145.9% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Newport Beach, the groceries index registers 9.7% higher than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Newport Beach, is 744.7% higher than the national average.
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 Newport Beach, healthcare costs are 18.1% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Newport 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 | $273,680 | $22,807 | $6,385 | $8,211 |
| Renters | $151,512 | $12,626 | $3,535 | $4,546 |
| 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. |
| Laguna Woods, CA | 16,656 | 135 | 34.5% |
| Hawaiian Gardens, CA | 14,656 | 142 | 42.3% |
| Stanton, CA | 39,110 | 146 | 46.2% |
| Seal Beach, CA | 25,208 | 149 | 49.1% |
| Signal Hill, CA | 11,866 | 159 | 58.9% |
| Newport Beach, CA | 90,043 | 337 | 237.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Waukegan, IL | 90,063 | 96 | 4.1% |
| O'Fallon, MO | 90,020 | 105 | 5.1% |
| Citrus Heights, CA | 90,373 | 132 | 32.0% |
| Ogden, UT | 90,520 | 101 | 1.5% |
| Newton, MA | 90,578 | 207 | 106.6% |
| Newport Beach, CA | 90,043 | 337 | 237.4% |