An Overview of Cost of Living in Upland, CA
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Upland? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Upland stands at 155, making it 55% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Upland 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, Upland falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Upland cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 157% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Upland, you you will have to spend 12% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, 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 Upland, it's the same story – grocery costs are 13.1% higher than what people pay across the country.
What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Upland?
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 7 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Upland. The feedback revealed that 57% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 43% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue 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 196.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 65.5% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Upland has a median household income of $76,259, which is 37.8% higher than the national average.
What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Upland?
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Upland, the transportation index stands at 23.9% 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%.
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.
Where is the Data From?
The Upland cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.
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