| Index | Tracy | California | National |
| Cost of living | 155 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 116 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 242 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 119 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 117 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 117 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 131 | 127 | 100 |

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Tracy 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 Tracy is 155, which is 55% 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 you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Tracy 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, Tracy falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs significantly influence the Tracy 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 142.1%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
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 Tracy, it's the same story – grocery costs are 13.7% higher than what people pay across the country.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 8 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Tracy. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 38% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 63% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Tracy 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 Tracy, the median home price is 162.4% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 94.9% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Tracy boasting a median household income of $143,200, 76.1% 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 Tracy, the general sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates begin at 1%.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
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 Tracy, the groceries index is 13.7% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Tracy 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 | $169,374 | $14,115 | $3,952 | $5,082 |
| Renters | $117,637 | $9,803 | $2,745 | $3,529 |
| 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. |
| Westley, CA | 707 | 110 | 9.6% |
| Kennedy, CA | 2,977 | 113 | 13.4% |
| Taft Mosswood, CA | 1,099 | 117 | 17.4% |
| Grayson, CA | 1,619 | 132 | 31.8% |
| French Camp, CA | 3,745 | 132 | 31.9% |
| Tracy, CA | 94,210 | 155 | 54.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Victoria, BC | 94,229 | n/a | |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 94,185 | 225 | 124.6% |
| Carson, CA | 94,352 | 154 | 53.9% |
| Deltona, FL | 93,968 | 104 | 4.0% |
| Alafaya, FL | 94,471 | 122 | 22.0% |
| Tracy, CA | 94,210 | 155 | 54.6% |