| Index | Walnut Creek | California | National |
| Cost of living | 197 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 380 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 124 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 124 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 120 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 133 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Walnut Creek? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Walnut Creek stands at 197, making it 97% 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.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Walnut Creek 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, Walnut Creek falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Walnut Creek cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 279.7% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
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 Walnut Creek, these items cost 12.5% more than the national average, making day-to-day living a bit more expensive.
The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Walnut Creek is no exception, where grocery prices are 13.4% above the national average.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 5 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Walnut Creek. The results indicated that 0% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 100% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek is 343.5% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 131% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Walnut Creek has a median household income of $159,760, which is 96.4% higher than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Walnut Creek, the housing index stands at 279.7% 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 Walnut Creek, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 7.25%, and income tax rates start at 1%.
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 Walnut Creek, the transportation index stands at 24.3% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Walnut Creek are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across 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 | $180,883 | $15,074 | $4,220 | $5,427 |
| Renters | $136,895 | $11,408 | $3,194 | $4,107 |
| 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. |
| Port Costa, CA | 251 | 115 | 14.6% |
| Pacheco, CA | 4,956 | 111 | 11.4% |
| San Miguel CDP (San Luis Obispo County), CA | 2,800 | 130 | 29.5% |
| Bay Point, CA | 26,221 | 134 | 34.4% |
| El Cerrito CDP, CA | 5,896 | 141 | 41.1% |
| Walnut Creek, CA | 72,134 | 197 | 97.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Passaic, NJ | 72,139 | 129 | 28.7% |
| North Richland Hills, TX | 72,121 | 107 | 7.4% |
| St. Charles, MO | 72,409 | 101 | 1.4% |
| Marysville, WA | 71,855 | 131 | 30.9% |
| Wilmington, DE | 72,823 | 100 | 0.5% |
| Walnut Creek, CA | 72,134 | 197 | 97.4% |
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