| Index | North Highlands | California | National |
| Cost of living | 119 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 115 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 129 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 116 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 117 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 114 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 120 | 127 | 100 |
The cost of living in North Highlands affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in North Highlands is 119, which is 19% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the North Highlands 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 29% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
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 North Highlands, these items cost 10.8% more than the national average, making day-to-day living a bit more expensive.
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 North Highlands is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 10.6% higher than the national average.
Is North Highlands 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 North Highlands, for instance, where the median home price falls 31.1% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 24% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with North Highlands flaunting a median household income of $75,346, 7.4% lower than the national norm.
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 North Highlands, the transportation index is 16.3% 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 household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In North Highlands, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In North Highlands, the housing index stands at 29% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for North Highlands are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across 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 | $93,183 | $7,765 | $2,174 | $2,796 |
| Renters | $58,284 | $4,857 | $1,360 | $1,749 |
| 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. |
| Freeport, CA | 71 | 116 | 15.6% |
| Fruitridge Pocket, CA | 5,940 | 116 | 16.0% |
| McClellan Park, CA | 870 | 117 | 16.6% |
| Parkway, CA | 16,882 | 121 | 20.6% |
| Florin, CA | 50,631 | 122 | 22.4% |
| North Highlands, CA | 50,172 | 119 | 18.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Georgina, ON | 50,195 | n/a | |
| Columbus, IN | 50,148 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Cedar Hill, TX | 50,139 | 105 | 5.5% |
| St. Louis Park, MN | 50,208 | 116 | 15.8% |
| Saginaw, MI | 50,125 | 79 | 21.0% |
| North Highlands, CA | 50,172 | 119 | 18.7% |
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