F
74%
Overall NAT. AVG.
21%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
205%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Rowland Heights California National
Cost of living174143100
Goods & Services121115100
Groceries109108100
Health care96103100
Housing305197100
Transportation138136100
Utilities109144100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Rowland Heights, CA

Understanding the cost of living in Rowland Heights can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Rowland Heights cost of living index is 174, which is 74% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

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

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Rowland Heights cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 205.4% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

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 Rowland Heights, these items will cost you 21% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

Is Rowland Heights Affordable?

Wondering if Rowland Heights 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 Rowland Heights, for example, the median home price is 265.2% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 65.9% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Rowland Heights boasting a median household income of $113,459, which is 39.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Rowland Heights?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Rowland Heights, healthcare costs are 3.6% lower than the national average.

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 Rowland Heights, the utilities index stands at 8.9% 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 Rowland Heights, the housing index stands at 205.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Rowland Heights cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Rowland Heights is 22% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Rowland Heights is 74% higher than the national average
  • Rowland Heights housing is 205% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Rowland Heights

See all the best places to live around Rowland Heights

Compare Rowland Heights, CA Cost of Living

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      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$135,232$11,269$3,155$4,057
      Renters$84,169$7,014$1,964$2,525
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Rowland Heights, CA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Rowland Heights have a median income of $135,232. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $3,155 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $84,169, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,964.

      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% 13.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item Rowland Heights National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.50$27.6210.4%
      Beauty Salon $103.42$51.11102.4%
      Toothpaste $4.01$4.092.0%
      Shampoo $1.58$1.542.5%
      Movie $19.57$12.8852.0%
      Yoga $25.22$19.6628.3%

      Groceries

      Item Rowland Heights National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.52$7.702.4%
      Fried Chicken $3.59$1.66116.0%
      Milk $5.05$4.736.7%
      Potatoes $4.84$5.267.9%
      Pizza $17.09$12.7633.9%
      Beer $11.22$10.556.4%

      Health Care

      Item Rowland Heights National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $164.27$140.0617.3%
      Doctor $132.64$153.8213.8%
      Dentist $133.17$123.158.1%
      Ibuprofen $12.21$11.734.1%
      Lipitor $17.86$23.6124.4%

      Housing

      Item Rowland Heights National avg. Difference
      Home Price $1,192,807.00$326,622.00265.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $6,403.73$2,480.25158.2%
      Apartment Rent $2,396.00$1,444.0065.9%

      Transportation

      Item Rowland Heights National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.48$3.0646.6%
      Tire Balancing $76.25$65.2116.9%

      Utilities

      Item Rowland Heights National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $251.64$220.1214.3%
      Phone $196.21$195.710.3%
      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.
      Industry, CA26914040.0%
      Montclair, CA41,01414141.1%
      Commerce, CA13,06614241.8%
      South San Jose Hills, CA19,65414444.3%
      Ontario, CA185,25014544.7%
      Rowland Heights, CA51,65217474.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Levittown, PA51,63411212.5%
      Coral Gables, FL51,68619191.3%
      Irondequoit, NY51,610954.6%
      Methuen Town, MA51,59012727.5%
      Kannapolis, NC51,586963.6%
      Rowland Heights, CA51,65217474.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.