C
0%
Overall NAT. AVG.
12%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
25%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; 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 Barstow California National
Cost of living100140100
Goods & Services112111100
Groceries113112100
Health care99109100
Housing75196100
Transportation124126100
Utilities94127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Barstow, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Barstow is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Barstow is 100, which is 0% equal to the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

In Barstow, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Barstow will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

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 Barstow, these items will cost you 12% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Barstow is no exception, where grocery prices are 13.1% above the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Barstow?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 9 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Barstow. The feedback revealed that 44% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 56% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Barstow Affordable?

Wondering if Barstow 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 Barstow, for example, the median home price is 29.6% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 14.4% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Barstow boasting a median household income of $42,912, which is 22.4% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Barstow?

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

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Barstow, healthcare costs are 1.2% lower 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 Barstow, the utilities index registers at 5.9% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Barstow 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Barstow is 28% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in Barstow is equal to the national average
  • Barstow housing is 25% lower 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 Barstow

See all the best places to live around Barstow

Compare Barstow, CA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      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$66,016$5,501$1,540$1,981
      Renters$30,472$2,539$711$914
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Barstow, CA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Barstow homeowners, is $66,016. This would allow for a maximum of $1,540 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $30,472 which would result in a maximum of $711 to be spent on rental costs.

      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 Barstow National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.27$24.2612.4%
      Beauty Salon $41.78$45.568.3%
      Toothpaste $3.61$3.702.6%
      Shampoo $1.34$1.284.9%
      Movie $11.04$12.139.0%
      Bowling $21.11$18.0017.3%

      Groceries

      Item Barstow National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.89$5.840.8%
      Fried Chicken $3.49$1.57121.9%
      Milk $4.92$4.675.4%
      Potatoes $4.92$4.930.3%
      Pizza $15.31$12.0926.6%
      Beer $10.26$10.411.4%

      Health Care

      Item Barstow National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $112.92$125.6810.2%
      Doctor $95.50$135.7829.7%
      Dentist $117.28$113.293.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.58$10.650.7%
      Lipitor $521.17$468.6011.2%

      Housing

      Item Barstow National avg. Difference
      Home Price $130,100.00$184,700.0029.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,441.43$2,346.694.0%
      Apartment Rent $812.00$949.0014.4%

      Transportation

      Item Barstow National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.75$3.4637.3%
      Tire Balancing $61.38$59.922.4%

      Utilities

      Item Barstow National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $378.97$193.9995.4%
      Phone $180.31$192.256.2%
      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.
      Lenwood, CA4,4311032.7%
      Barstow, CA23,5471000.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hialeah Gardens, FL23,54611312.9%
      Romulus, MI23,544928.4%
      West Puente Valley, CA23,55514948.7%
      Fish Hawk, FL23,55612525.0%
      Watertown, WI23,5611000.4%
      Barstow, CA23,5471000.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.