Cost of Living in Bell Gardens, CA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Bell Gardens, CA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Bell Gardens? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Bell Gardens stands at 139, making it 39% 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 value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Bell Gardens may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Bell Gardens falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs significantly influence the Bell Gardens 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 93.6%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

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 Bell Gardens, you you will have to spend 16.2% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in Bell Gardens is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 12.2% higher than the national average.

Is Bell Gardens Affordable?

Is Bell Gardens 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 Bell Gardens is 118% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 36.6% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Bell Gardens has a median household income of $45,289, which is 18.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bell Gardens?

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 Bell Gardens, is 93.6% higher than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Bell Gardens, the groceries index is 12.2% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Bell Gardens starts at 7.25% and the income tax rates start at 1%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Bell Gardens 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.