Cost of Living in South Whittier, CA

An Overview of Cost of Living in South Whittier, CA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in South Whittier? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in South Whittier stands at 149, making it 49% 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're in pursuit of an economical living environment, South Whittier may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, South Whittier falls within this bracket.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in South Whittier, 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 139% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, 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 South Whittier, these items will cost you 12% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

The surge in grocery costs is indeed alarming, especially when groceries make up a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Over the past two years, there has been an inflation of over 10% in grocery prices. Unfortunately, South Whittier does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 13.1% higher than the national average.

Is South Whittier Affordable?

Is South Whittier 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 South Whittier, the median home price is 171.7% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 62.7% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with South Whittier boasting a median household income of $75,883, 37.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in South Whittier?

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 South Whittier, the groceries index is 13.1% higher than the national average.

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 South Whittier, the transportation index is 23.9% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In South Whittier, the utilities index registers at 5.9% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in South Whittier 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.