C+
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
17%
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 Blythe California National
Cost of living96140100
Goods & Services107111100
Groceries102112100
Health care94109100
Housing83196100
Transportation100126100
Utilities84127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Blythe, CA

The cost of living in Blythe 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 Blythe is 96, which is 4% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

In Blythe, 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 Blythe will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

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

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 6 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Blythe. The feedback revealed that 50% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 50% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Blythe Affordable?

Is Blythe an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Blythe, the median home price is 15.5% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 19.6% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Blythe come in at $44,563, which is 19.4% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Blythe?

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Blythe, the transportation index is 0.2% higher than the national average.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Blythe, the utilities index registers 16.4% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Blythe, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Blythe, 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Blythe is 31% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in Blythe is 4% lower than the national average
  • Blythe housing is 17% 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 Blythe

See all the best places to live around Blythe

Compare Blythe, 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$56,017$4,668$1,307$1,681
      Renters$28,383$2,365$662$852
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Blythe is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Blythe has a median income of about $56,017 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,307 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $28,383. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $662 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Blythe National avg. Difference
      Haircut $18.39$24.2624.2%
      Beauty Salon $45.42$45.560.3%
      Toothpaste $3.74$3.701.0%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.281.3%
      Movie $10.13$12.1316.5%
      Bowling $16.95$18.005.9%

      Groceries

      Item Blythe National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.30$5.847.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.60$1.571.4%
      Milk $4.80$4.672.7%
      Potatoes $4.66$4.935.6%
      Pizza $13.76$12.0913.8%
      Beer $10.87$10.414.4%

      Health Care

      Item Blythe National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $143.04$125.6813.8%
      Doctor $114.67$135.7815.5%
      Dentist $106.22$113.296.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.47$10.651.7%
      Lipitor $480.00$468.602.4%

      Housing

      Item Blythe National avg. Difference
      Home Price $156,100.00$184,700.0015.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,184.12$2,346.69120.9%
      Apartment Rent $763.00$949.0019.6%

      Transportation

      Item Blythe National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.90$3.4612.6%
      Tire Balancing $41.98$59.9229.9%

      Utilities

      Item Blythe National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $147.65$193.9923.9%
      Phone $183.34$192.254.6%
      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.
      Palo Verde, CA781011.1%
      Mesa Verde, CA7537921.3%
      Ehrenberg, AZ1,005936.9%
      Ripley, CA460964.1%
      Blythe, CA19,747964.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Sherwood, OR19,74514039.8%
      Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC19,745n/a 
      Shafter, CA19,74311211.5%
      West Mifflin, PA19,7428812.1%
      Niskayuna, NY19,74111615.6%
      Blythe, CA19,747964.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.