| Index | San Fernando | California | National |
| Cost of living | 150 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 119 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 224 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 122 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 118 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 123 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 135 | 127 | 100 |

Understanding the cost of living in San Fernando can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The San Fernando cost of living index is 150, which is 50% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, San Fernando may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, San Fernando falls within this bracket.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in San Fernando, 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 123.8% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Recurring household expenses such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics are a steady part of monthly spending and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In San Fernando, these everyday items will cost you 13.8% more than average, making it a slightly 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 Fernando, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 10.4% higher than the national average.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 6 residents in San Fernando to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 83% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 17% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is San Fernando an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in San Fernando is 156.1% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 48.3% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. San Fernando has a median household income of $88,625, which is 9% higher than the national average.
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 San Fernando, the general sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates begin at 1%.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
The cost of living data for San Fernando shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between 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 | $120,384 | $10,032 | $2,809 | $3,612 |
| Renters | $66,325 | $5,527 | $1,547 | $1,990 |
| 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. |
| Val Verde, CA | 3,328 | 140 | 40.4% |
| Burbank CDP, CA | 5,143 | 158 | 57.8% |
| Acton, CA | 7,215 | 160 | 60.3% |
| Santa Clarita, CA | 218,105 | 165 | 65.4% |
| Castaic, CA | 19,003 | 168 | 67.5% |
| San Fernando, CA | 24,761 | 150 | 50.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Grande Prairie County No. 1, AB | 24,756 | n/a | |
| Chantilly, VA | 24,744 | 150 | 49.5% |
| Waverly, MI | 24,722 | 98 | 2.0% |
| Faribault, MN | 24,714 | 98 | 2.2% |
| Camas, WA | 24,814 | 140 | 40.3% |
| San Fernando, CA | 24,761 | 150 | 50.5% |