F
48%
Overall NAT. AVG.
16%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
123%
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 Fernando California National
Cost of living148140100
Goods & Services116111100
Groceries112112100
Health care108109100
Housing223196100
Transportation124126100
Utilities112127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in San Fernando, CA

The cost of living in San Fernando affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in San Fernando is 148, which is 48% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in San Fernando 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, San Fernando falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs are a major factor in the San Fernando 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 122.7% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, San Fernando goods and services are 16.2% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

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 12.2% higher than the national average.

Is San Fernando Affordable?

Wondering if San Fernando is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In San Fernando, for example, the median home price is 155.3% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 46.8% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with San Fernando boasting a median household income of $60,655, which is 9.6% higher than the national average.

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

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In San Fernando, the housing index is 122.7% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In San Fernando, the utilities index is 12.4% 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 Fernando, the groceries index registers 12.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The San Fernando cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in San Fernando is 6% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in San Fernando is 48% higher than the national average
  • San Fernando housing is 123% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 56% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around San Fernando

See all the best places to live around San Fernando

Compare San Fernando, 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$79,225$6,602$1,848$2,377
      Renters$43,639$3,637$1,018$1,309
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in San Fernando, 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 San Fernando, homeowners have a median income of $79,225. Using that number, a maximum of $1,848 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $43,639, which means there is a maximum of $1,018 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% 12.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item San Fernando National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.67$24.261.7%
      Beauty Salon $49.33$45.568.3%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.41$1.289.8%
      Movie $13.46$12.1311.0%
      Bowling $19.07$18.006.0%

      Groceries

      Item San Fernando National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.26$5.847.2%
      Fried Chicken $2.08$1.5732.2%
      Milk $4.76$4.671.9%
      Potatoes $4.94$4.930.2%
      Pizza $16.13$12.0933.5%
      Beer $9.60$10.417.8%

      Health Care

      Item San Fernando National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.09$125.682.7%
      Doctor $119.86$135.7811.7%
      Dentist $108.07$113.294.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.36$10.652.7%
      Lipitor $505.41$468.607.9%

      Housing

      Item San Fernando National avg. Difference
      Home Price $471,500.00$184,700.00155.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,799.02$2,346.6919.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,393.00$949.0046.8%

      Transportation

      Item San Fernando National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.47$3.4629.3%
      Tire Balancing $58.33$59.922.6%

      Utilities

      Item San Fernando National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $326.49$193.9968.3%
      Phone $182.78$192.254.9%
      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.
      Val Verde, CA3,26113939.1%
      Burbank CDP, CA4,98415454.2%
      Acton, CA7,05415858.3%
      Castaic, CA18,47916463.8%
      Santa Clarita, CA212,51916464.1%
      San Fernando, CA24,24414847.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Loma Linda, CA24,23913434.4%
      San Benito, TX24,2597327.0%
      Bridgeton, NJ24,264945.9%
      Seal Beach, CA24,26814444.2%
      Elmwood Park, IL24,27411414.4%
      San Fernando, CA24,24414847.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.