F
50%
Overall NAT. AVG.
21%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
124%
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 Pico Rivera California National
Cost of living150143100
Goods & Services121115100
Groceries109108100
Health care96103100
Housing224197100
Transportation138136100
Utilities109144100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Pico Rivera, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Pico Rivera 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 Pico Rivera is 150, which is 50% 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 prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Pico Rivera may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Pico Rivera falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Pico Rivera 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 124% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, 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 Pico Rivera, these items will cost you 21% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

Is Pico Rivera Affordable?

Is Pico Rivera 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 Pico Rivera, the median home price is 156.3% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 48.5% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Pico Rivera boasting a median household income of $104,968, 29.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Pico Rivera?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

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 Pico Rivera, the transportation index is 37.9% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Pico Rivera, healthcare costs are 3.6% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Pico Rivera, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Pico Rivera is 5% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Pico Rivera is 50% higher than the national average
  • Pico Rivera housing is 124% 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 Pico Rivera

See all the best places to live around Pico Rivera

Compare Pico Rivera, 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$121,693$10,141$2,839$3,651
      Renters$71,013$5,918$1,657$2,131
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Pico Rivera is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Pico Rivera has a median income of about $121,693 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,839 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $71,013. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,657 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Pico Rivera National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.50$27.6210.4%
      Beauty Salon $103.42$51.11102.4%
      Toothpaste $4.01$4.092.0%
      Shampoo $1.58$1.542.5%
      Movie $19.57$12.8852.0%
      Yoga $25.22$19.6628.3%

      Groceries

      Item Pico Rivera National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.52$7.702.4%
      Fried Chicken $3.59$1.66116.0%
      Milk $5.05$4.736.7%
      Potatoes $4.84$5.267.9%
      Pizza $17.09$12.7633.9%
      Beer $11.22$10.556.4%

      Health Care

      Item Pico Rivera National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $164.27$140.0617.3%
      Doctor $132.64$153.8213.8%
      Dentist $133.17$123.158.1%
      Ibuprofen $12.21$11.734.1%
      Lipitor $17.86$23.6124.4%

      Housing

      Item Pico Rivera National avg. Difference
      Home Price $837,142.00$326,622.00156.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $6,403.73$2,480.25158.2%
      Apartment Rent $2,144.00$1,444.0048.5%

      Transportation

      Item Pico Rivera National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.48$3.0646.6%
      Tire Balancing $76.25$65.2116.9%

      Utilities

      Item Pico Rivera National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $251.64$220.1214.3%
      Phone $196.21$195.710.3%
      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.
      Vernon, CA25411818.0%
      Willowbrook, CA25,34713736.8%
      East Rancho Dominguez, CA15,76513837.9%
      Florence-Graham, CA66,60313939.1%
      Compton, CA98,73113939.5%
      Pico Rivera, CA63,89915049.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Reston, VA63,84015353.3%
      Fredericton, NB63,818n/a 
      Palm Harbor, FL63,81311111.3%
      Council Bluffs, IA63,7868712.7%
      Hamilton, OH64,0329010.0%
      Pico Rivera, CA63,89915049.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.