F
58%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
156%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Upland California National
Cost of living158141100
Groceries108111100
Health care115116100
Housing256197100
Transportation121118100
Utilities121119100
Lifestyle & Entertainment117120100
Household Items113111100
Education & Childcare124127100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in Upland, CA

Knowing the cost of living in Upland allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Upland stands at 158, marking it 58% higher than the national average.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Upland 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, Upland falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the Upland 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 155.9%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

The routine items you regularly buy for your home, such as cleaning supplies, personal care products, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials, make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Upland, these items cost 12.8% more than the national average, making day-to-day living a bit more expensive.

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

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 7 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Upland. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 57% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 43% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Upland Affordable?

Is Upland 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 Upland is 195.7% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 63% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Upland has a median household income of $112,982, which is 38.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Upland?

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 Upland, the housing index is 155.9% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Upland, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 7.25%, and income tax rates start at 1%.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Upland, the transportation index is 20.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Upland cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Upland is 12% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Upland is 58% higher than the national average
  • Upland housing is 156% 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 Upland

See all the best places to live around Upland

Compare Upland, CA Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Upland?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Upland?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Upland poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$163,517$13,626$3,815$4,906
      Renters$84,985$7,082$1,983$2,550
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Upland, CA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Upland have a median income of $163,517. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $3,815 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $84,985, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,983.

      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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Bloomington, CA22,50613029.9%
      Lytle Creek, CA67113333.4%
      Fontana, CA220,41214141.4%
      Montclair, CA41,01413938.5%
      Jurupa Valley, CA110,86214141.5%
      Upland, CA79,50515858.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Gastonia, NC79,485963.8%
      Cedar Park, TX79,54012121.5%
      Lake Charles, LA79,542945.8%
      Rapid City, SD79,549991.0%
      Waldorf, MD79,55412827.5%
      Upland, CA79,50515858.0%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.