| Index | Rowland Heights | California | National |
| Cost of living | 172 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 112 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 305 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 114 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 118 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 117 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 125 | 127 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Rowland Heights? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Rowland Heights stands at 172, making it 72% 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 Rowland Heights 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, Rowland Heights falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Rowland Heights, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 205.4% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
The surge in grocery costs is indeed alarming, especially when groceries make up a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Over the past two years, there has been an inflation of over 10% in grocery prices. Unfortunately, Rowland Heights does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 11.7% higher than the national average.
Is Rowland Heights 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 Rowland Heights, for instance, where the median home price falls 265.2% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 65.9% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Rowland Heights flaunting a median household income of $113,459, 39.5% higher than the national norm.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Rowland Heights, the groceries index is 11.7% higher than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Rowland Heights, the housing index is 205.4% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Rowland Heights, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 7.25%, and income tax rates start at 1%.
The Rowland Heights cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $135,232 | $11,269 | $3,155 | $4,057 |
| Renters | $84,169 | $7,014 | $1,964 | $2,525 |
| 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. |
| Industry, CA | 269 | 137 | 37.1% |
| Montclair, CA | 41,014 | 139 | 38.5% |
| Commerce, CA | 13,066 | 139 | 38.8% |
| South San Jose Hills, CA | 19,654 | 142 | 42.0% |
| Ontario, CA | 185,250 | 143 | 43.4% |
| Rowland Heights, CA | 51,652 | 172 | 72.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Levittown, PA | 51,634 | 107 | 6.7% |
| Coral Gables, FL | 51,686 | 192 | 91.6% |
| Irondequoit, NY | 51,610 | 103 | 3.0% |
| Methuen Town, MA | 51,590 | 131 | 30.9% |
| Kannapolis, NC | 51,586 | 97 | 2.6% |
| Rowland Heights, CA | 51,652 | 172 | 72.0% |