An Overview of Cost of Living in Lynwood, CA
The cost of living in Lynwood affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Lynwood is 141, which is 41% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Lynwood 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, Lynwood falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs significantly influence the Lynwood 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 99.9%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
The things you purchase regularly, like clothes, haircuts, movie tickets and gym memberships, can make a big dent in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. Unfortunately in Lynwood, these items will cost you 16.2% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.
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 Lynwood, it's the same story – grocery costs are 12.2% higher than what people pay across the country.
Is Lynwood Affordable?
Wondering if Lynwood is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Lynwood, for example, the median home price is 128.6% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 32.9% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Lynwood boasting a median household income of $57,063, which is 3.1% higher than the national average.
What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Lynwood?
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 Lynwood starts at 7.25% and the income tax rates start at 1%.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Lynwood, the transportation index is 24.3% higher than the national average.
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 Lynwood, is 99.9% higher than the national average.
Where is the Data From?
The cost of living in Lynwood, 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.