| Index | Orange | California | National |
| Cost of living | 178 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 115 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 116 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 315 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 120 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 119 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 123 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 138 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Orange? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Orange stands at 178, making it 78% 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.
The cost of living in Orange is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Orange falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Orange, 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 215% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Everyday household expenses like cleaning products, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics can quickly add up over time and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Orange, you can expect to spend 14.4% more than average on these recurring essentials, which increases your overall monthly cost of living.
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, Orange is no exception, where grocery prices are 14.8% above the national average.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 9 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Orange and this is how they responded. 33% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 67% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Wondering if Orange is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Orange, for example, the median home price is 266.8% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 94% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Orange boasting a median household income of $144,657, which is 77.9% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Orange, the groceries index is 14.8% higher 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 Orange, the transportation index is 20.1% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Orange, healthcare costs are 16.1% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Orange 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 | $192,361 | $16,030 | $4,488 | $5,771 |
| Renters | $100,724 | $8,394 | $2,350 | $3,022 |
| 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. |
| Las Flores CDP (Tehama County), CA | 335 | 116 | 16.5% |
| Laguna Woods, CA | 16,656 | 135 | 34.5% |
| Hawaiian Gardens, CA | 14,656 | 142 | 42.3% |
| Stanton, CA | 39,110 | 146 | 46.2% |
| Pico Rivera, CA | 63,899 | 148 | 47.8% |
| Orange, CA | 144,054 | 178 | 78.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Miramar, FL | 143,780 | 123 | 23.3% |
| Olathe, KS | 143,626 | 106 | 6.0% |
| Roseville, CA | 143,208 | 154 | 53.5% |
| Denton, TX | 145,019 | 105 | 5.3% |
| Saguenay, QC | 145,134 | n/a | |
| Orange, CA | 144,054 | 178 | 78.4% |
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