F
33%
Overall NAT. AVG.
16%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
75%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Willowbrook California National
Cost of living133140100
Goods & Services116111100
Groceries112112100
Health care108109100
Housing175196100
Transportation124126100
Utilities112127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Willowbrook, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Willowbrook 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 Willowbrook is 133, which is 33% 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.

The cost of living in Willowbrook 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, Willowbrook falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

When it comes to the cost of living in Willowbrook, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 74.6% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Willowbrook goods and services are 16.2% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

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, Willowbrook is no exception, where grocery prices are 12.2% above the national average.

Is Willowbrook Affordable?

Is Willowbrook an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Willowbrook, the median home price is 93.3% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 30.9% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Willowbrook come in at $44,561, which is 19.5% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Willowbrook?

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Willowbrook, is 74.6% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Willowbrook comes in at 12.4% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Willowbrook, the groceries index is 12.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Willowbrook displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

New Real Estate Listings in Willowbrook Area
Search Homes for Sale in Willowbrook, CA

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Willowbrook is 4% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in Willowbrook is 33% higher than the national average
  • Willowbrook housing is 75% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 56% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Willowbrook

See all the best places to live around Willowbrook

Compare Willowbrook, CA Cost of Living

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

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$69,657$5,805$1,625$2,090
      Renters$28,676$2,390$669$860
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Willowbrook is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Willowbrook has a median income of about $69,657 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,625 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $28,676. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $669 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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% 12.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item Willowbrook National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.67$24.261.7%
      Beauty Salon $49.33$45.568.3%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.41$1.289.8%
      Movie $13.46$12.1311.0%
      Bowling $19.07$18.006.0%

      Groceries

      Item Willowbrook National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.26$5.847.2%
      Fried Chicken $2.08$1.5732.2%
      Milk $4.76$4.671.9%
      Potatoes $4.94$4.930.2%
      Pizza $16.13$12.0933.5%
      Beer $9.60$10.417.8%

      Health Care

      Item Willowbrook National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.09$125.682.7%
      Doctor $119.86$135.7811.7%
      Dentist $108.07$113.294.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.36$10.652.7%
      Lipitor $505.41$468.607.9%

      Housing

      Item Willowbrook National avg. Difference
      Home Price $357,000.00$184,700.0093.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,799.02$2,346.6919.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,242.00$949.0030.9%

      Transportation

      Item Willowbrook National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.47$3.4629.3%
      Tire Balancing $58.33$59.922.6%

      Utilities

      Item Willowbrook National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $326.49$193.9968.3%
      Phone $182.78$192.254.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Westside, CA21311615.6%
      Vernon, CA24811717.0%
      Rolling Hills CDP, CA83213433.9%
      Compton, CA95,80413636.2%
      Florence-Graham, CA64,78713736.5%
      Willowbrook, CA24,40113333.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Inkster, MI24,3988515.1%
      Selma, CA24,40511111.5%
      Norfolk, NE24,410928.0%
      Trotwood, OH24,4108614.1%
      Lodi, NJ24,38913231.7%
      Willowbrook, CA24,40113333.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.