F
210%
Overall NAT. AVG.
20%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
642%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; 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 San Carlos California National
Cost of living310140100
Goods & Services120111100
Groceries123112100
Health care125109100
Housing742196100
Transportation132126100
Utilities136127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in San Carlos, CA

Knowing the cost of living in San Carlos allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in San Carlos stands at 310, marking it 210% higher than the national average.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, San Carlos 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, San Carlos falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a major factor in the San Carlos cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 642.4% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

The things you purchase regularly, like clothes, haircuts, movie tickets and gym memberships, can make a big dent in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. Unfortunately in San Carlos, these items will cost you 19.9% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in San Carlos, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 22.5% higher than the national average.

Is San Carlos Affordable?

Is San Carlos 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 San Carlos, the median home price is 851.2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 155.3% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with San Carlos boasting a median household income of $189,739, 243% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in San Carlos?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In San Carlos, healthcare costs are 24.8% higher than the national average.

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 San Carlos, the groceries index registers 22.5% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In San Carlos, the utilities index stands at 35.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in San Carlos 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in San Carlos is 122% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in San Carlos is 210% higher than the national average
  • San Carlos housing is 642% 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 San Carlos

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Compare San Carlos, 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$233,221$19,435$5,441$6,997
      Renters$113,378$9,448$2,645$3,402
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in San Carlos, CA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in San Carlos have a median income of $233,221. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $5,441 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $113,378, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $2,645.

      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 San Carlos National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.38$24.2617.0%
      Beauty Salon $85.43$45.5687.5%
      Toothpaste $4.09$3.7010.4%
      Shampoo $1.65$1.2829.1%
      Movie $16.02$12.1332.0%
      Bowling $24.01$18.0033.4%

      Groceries

      Item San Carlos National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.23$5.846.7%
      Fried Chicken $2.11$1.5734.1%
      Milk $5.18$4.6710.9%
      Potatoes $4.98$4.930.9%
      Pizza $15.74$12.0930.2%
      Beer $11.21$10.417.6%

      Health Care

      Item San Carlos National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $159.79$125.6827.1%
      Doctor $174.45$135.7828.5%
      Dentist $155.36$113.2937.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.30$10.656.1%
      Lipitor $498.84$468.606.5%

      Housing

      Item San Carlos National avg. Difference
      Home Price $1,756,800.00$184,700.00851.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $7,224.18$2,346.69207.8%
      Apartment Rent $2,423.00$949.00155.3%

      Transportation

      Item San Carlos National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.63$3.4633.9%
      Tire Balancing $75.33$59.9225.7%

      Utilities

      Item San Carlos National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $298.77$193.9954.0%
      Phone $203.63$192.255.9%
      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.
      Mountain View CDP, CA2,58513030.1%
      Cherryland, CA15,97615858.3%
      Ashland, CA23,56616463.8%
      San Lorenzo, CA30,11717171.4%
      San Leandro, CA90,48917271.8%
      San Carlos, CA29,647310209.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Middle River, MD29,6651087.8%
      Carney, MD29,62411616.1%
      Westfield, NJ29,69018079.6%
      Rahway, NJ29,69111817.9%
      Chicago Heights, IL29,598928.0%
      San Carlos, CA29,647310209.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.