F
64%
Overall NAT. AVG.
21%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
172%
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 Rosemead California National
Cost of living164143100
Goods & Services121115100
Groceries109108100
Health care96103100
Housing272197100
Transportation138136100
Utilities109144100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Rosemead, CA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Rosemead? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Rosemead stands at 164, making it 64% 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, Rosemead 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, Rosemead 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 Rosemead 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 171.8% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Goods and services make up 33% of the total cost of living index score and are a large part of your everyday expenses. These items could include things like haircuts, salons, toothpaste, shampoo, clothes, movies, bowling, gym memberships or yoga. In Rosemead, you can expect to pay 21% more than average for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

Is Rosemead Affordable?

Is Rosemead 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 Rosemead, for instance, where the median home price falls 224.8% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 48.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Rosemead flaunting a median household income of $90,656, 11.5% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Rosemead?

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as 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 with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Rosemead, the general sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates begin at 1%.

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 Rosemead, healthcare costs are 3.6% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Rosemead displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Rosemead is 15% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Rosemead is 64% higher than the national average
  • Rosemead housing is 172% 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 Rosemead

See all the best places to live around Rosemead

Compare Rosemead, 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$110,741$9,228$2,584$3,323
      Renters$69,568$5,797$1,623$2,087
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Rosemead, CA, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Rosemead, homeowners have a median income of $110,741. Using that number, a maximum of $2,584 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $69,568, which means there is a maximum of $1,623 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Rosemead 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 Rosemead 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 Rosemead 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 Rosemead National avg. Difference
      Home Price $1,060,831.00$326,622.00224.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $6,403.73$2,480.25158.2%
      Apartment Rent $2,141.00$1,444.0048.3%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Rosemead 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%
      Rosemead, CA55,74316464.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Aspen Hill, MD55,71514342.8%
      Leesburg, VA55,69414544.9%
      Elyria, OH55,8028811.9%
      Normal, IL55,8341000.0%
      Apple Valley, MN55,84211312.5%
      Rosemead, CA55,74316464.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.