F
61%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
164%
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 Seaside California National
Cost of living161140100
Goods & Services108111100
Groceries115112100
Health care123109100
Housing264196100
Transportation130126100
Utilities132127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Seaside, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Seaside is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Seaside is 161, which is 61% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Seaside is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Seaside falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the Seaside cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 163.7%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

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 Seaside, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 14.5% higher than the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Seaside?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 5 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Seaside. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 40% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 60% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Seaside Affordable?

Is Seaside 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 Seaside is 191.9% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 97.8% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Seaside has a median household income of $68,399, which is 23.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Seaside?

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 Seaside, the utilities index stands at 31.8% higher than the national average.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Seaside, the transportation index is 30.4% higher than the national average.

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.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Seaside, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Seaside is 15% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Seaside is 61% higher than the national average
  • Seaside housing is 164% 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 Seaside

See all the best places to live around Seaside

Compare Seaside, 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$90,104$7,509$2,102$2,703
      Renters$58,651$4,888$1,368$1,760
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Seaside, CA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Seaside, the median monthly income is $90,104 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,102 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $58,651, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,368 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Seaside National avg. Difference
      Haircut $33.94$24.2639.9%
      Beauty Salon $48.51$45.566.5%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.4%
      Shampoo $1.66$1.2829.9%
      Movie $13.31$12.139.7%
      Bowling $33.30$18.0085.0%

      Groceries

      Item Seaside National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.79$5.840.8%
      Fried Chicken $2.13$1.5735.7%
      Milk $5.05$4.678.2%
      Potatoes $4.77$4.933.4%
      Pizza $14.92$12.0923.5%
      Beer $10.99$10.415.6%

      Health Care

      Item Seaside National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $158.95$125.6826.5%
      Doctor $194.05$135.7842.9%
      Dentist $147.78$113.2930.4%
      Ibuprofen $11.51$10.658.1%
      Lipitor $390.15$468.6016.7%

      Housing

      Item Seaside National avg. Difference
      Home Price $539,200.00$184,700.00191.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $8,581.10$2,346.69265.7%
      Apartment Rent $1,877.00$949.0097.8%

      Transportation

      Item Seaside National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.81$3.4638.9%
      Tire Balancing $65.62$59.929.5%

      Utilities

      Item Seaside National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $294.74$193.9951.9%
      Phone $190.07$192.251.1%
      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.
      Moss Landing, CA3111716.8%
      Boronda, CA1,74013231.5%
      Sand City, CA32013737.1%
      Salinas, CA156,17714747.2%
      Elkhorn, CA99815454.1%
      Seaside, CA34,06316160.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      New City, NY34,06015252.2%
      Merritt Island, FL33,97511211.8%
      Pullman, WA33,97411414.1%
      Salisbury, NC33,961909.7%
      North Ridgeville, OH33,961991.3%
      Seaside, CA34,06316160.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.