| Index | Oakdale | California | National |
| Cost of living | 133 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 112 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 120 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 166 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 120 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 121 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 120 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 130 | 127 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Oakdale 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 Oakdale cost of living index is 133, which is 33% 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, Oakdale 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, Oakdale falls within this bracket.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Oakdale, 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 66.3% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Household expenses make up 8% of the total cost of living index score and cover the everyday essentials needed to keep your home running smoothly. These items may include cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials. In Oakdale, you can expect to pay 12.7% more than average for these everyday necessities, making it a more expensive place to live.
The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Oakdale is no exception, where grocery prices are 12% above the national average.
Is Oakdale 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 Oakdale, for instance, where the median home price falls 85.8% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 20.6% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Oakdale flaunting a median household income of $100,123, 23.1% higher than the national norm.
Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.
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 Oakdale, the groceries index registers 12% higher than the national average.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Oakdale, the utilities index registers 20.6% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Oakdale 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.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $126,300 | $10,525 | $2,947 | $3,789 |
| Renters | $58,493 | $4,874 | $1,365 | $1,755 |
| 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. |
| Cowan, CA | 486 | 114 | 14.4% |
| Farmington, CA | 175 | 117 | 17.2% |
| Parklawn, CA | 1,891 | 107 | 6.8% |
| Airport, CA | 1,306 | 111 | 10.8% |
| Bret Harte, CA | 5,175 | 108 | 7.9% |
| Oakdale, CA | 23,805 | 133 | 32.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Auburn, ME | 23,804 | 101 | 0.5% |
| Farmington, MN | 23,819 | 113 | 12.6% |
| Oxford, OH | 23,787 | 99 | 1.4% |
| Rock Springs, WY | 23,823 | 103 | 3.2% |
| Leesburg, FL | 23,785 | 101 | 0.7% |
| Oakdale, CA | 23,805 | 133 | 32.9% |
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