Cost of Living in Benicia, CA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Benicia, CA

Knowing the cost of living in Benicia 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 Benicia stands at 171, marking it 71% higher than the national average.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Benicia 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, Benicia falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Benicia, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 189.5% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Goods and services make up 33% of the total cost of living index score and are a large part of your everyday expenses. These items could include things like haircuts, salons, toothpaste, shampoo, clothes, movies, bowling, gym memberships or yoga. In Benicia, you can expect to pay 14.1% more than average 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 Benicia, it's the same story – grocery costs are 17.2% higher than what people pay across the country.

Is Benicia Affordable?

Is Benicia affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Benicia, the median home price is 223.5% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 110.2% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Benicia boasting a median household income of $106,989, 93.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Benicia?

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Benicia, the utilities index stands at 33.7% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as 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 with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Benicia, the groceries index registers 17.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Benicia, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.