| Index | Temecula | California | National |
| Cost of living | 155 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 118 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 242 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 123 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 119 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 117 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 128 | 127 | 100 |
The cost of living in Temecula 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 Temecula is 155, which is 55% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Temecula 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, Temecula falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs significantly influence the Temecula 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 142%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Household expenses make up 8% of the total cost of living index score and cover the everyday essentials needed to keep your home running smoothly. These items may include cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials. In Temecula, you can expect to pay 12.5% more than average for these everyday necessities, making it a more expensive place to live.
Groceries are getting more expensive by the day and the cost of groceries makes up 13% of the overall cost of living index. In the past two years, prices have shot up by over 10%! Unfortunately, in Temecula, it's the same story – grocery costs are 13.8% higher than what people pay across the country.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 35 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Temecula. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 26% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 74% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Temecula 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 Temecula, for instance, where the median home price falls 160.2% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 99.7% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Temecula flaunting a median household income of $144,133, 77.2% higher than the national norm.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Temecula, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.
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 Temecula, the groceries index is 13.8% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Temecula 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.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $170,296 | $14,191 | $3,973 | $5,109 |
| Renters | $106,960 | $8,913 | $2,496 | $3,209 |
| 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. |
| Pala, CA | 1,129 | 113 | 12.6% |
| Warm Springs, CA | 1,496 | 118 | 18.5% |
| Lakeland Village, CA | 12,752 | 132 | 32.5% |
| Menifee, CA | 96,253 | 137 | 37.5% |
| Camp Pendleton North, CA | 8,082 | 136 | 36.3% |
| Temecula, CA | 116,255 | 155 | 55.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| High Point, NC | 116,418 | 95 | 4.8% |
| El Monte, CA | 116,590 | 151 | 51.1% |
| Spring Hill, FL | 116,693 | 101 | 0.6% |
| Palm Bay, FL | 116,937 | 105 | 5.3% |
| Clovis, CA | 117,046 | 132 | 32.3% |
| Temecula, CA | 116,255 | 155 | 55.4% |
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