F
101%
Overall NAT. AVG.
14%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
289%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
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 El Cerrito California National
Cost of living201140100
Goods & Services114111100
Groceries117112100
Health care121109100
Housing389196100
Transportation129126100
Utilities134127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in El Cerrito, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito is 201, which is 101% higher than 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.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, El Cerrito may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, El Cerrito falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

When it comes to the cost of living in El Cerrito, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 289.4% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Goods and services make up 33% of the total cost of living index score and are a large part of your everyday expenses. These items could include things like haircuts, salons, toothpaste, shampoo, clothes, movies, bowling, gym memberships or yoga. In El Cerrito, you can expect to pay 14.1% more than average for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in El Cerrito, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 17.2% higher than the national average.

Is El Cerrito Affordable?

Is El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito, the median home price is 364.5% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 114% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with El Cerrito boasting a median household income of $108,294, 95.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in El Cerrito?

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 El Cerrito, the housing index stands at 289.4% higher than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In El Cerrito, the groceries index is 17.2% higher than the national average.

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 El Cerrito, the transportation index is 29.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The El Cerrito cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

New Real Estate Listings in El Cerrito Area
Search Homes for Sale in El Cerrito, CA

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in El Cerrito is 44% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in El Cerrito is 101% higher than the national average
  • El Cerrito housing is 289% 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 El Cerrito

See all the best places to live around El Cerrito

Compare El Cerrito, CA Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in El Cerrito?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in El Cerrito?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all El Cerrito poll results

      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$146,025$12,169$3,407$4,381
      Renters$72,813$6,068$1,699$2,185
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in El Cerrito 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. El Cerrito has a median income of about $146,025 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $3,407 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $72,813. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,699 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 El Cerrito National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.00$24.263.0%
      Beauty Salon $76.00$45.5666.8%
      Toothpaste $3.64$3.701.7%
      Shampoo $1.45$1.2813.5%
      Movie $16.46$12.1335.7%
      Bowling $27.22$18.0051.2%

      Groceries

      Item El Cerrito National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.70$5.842.3%
      Fried Chicken $3.43$1.57118.2%
      Milk $4.91$4.675.1%
      Potatoes $4.87$4.931.3%
      Pizza $13.49$12.0911.6%
      Beer $11.18$10.417.4%

      Health Care

      Item El Cerrito National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $137.40$125.689.3%
      Doctor $110.00$135.7819.0%
      Dentist $118.27$113.294.4%
      Ibuprofen $11.76$10.6510.4%
      Lipitor $508.17$468.608.4%

      Housing

      Item El Cerrito National avg. Difference
      Home Price $858,000.00$184,700.00364.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $6,553.90$2,346.69179.3%
      Apartment Rent $2,031.00$949.00114.0%

      Transportation

      Item El Cerrito National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.60$3.4633.0%
      Tire Balancing $60.97$59.921.7%

      Utilities

      Item El Cerrito National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $182.51$193.995.9%
      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.
      Port Costa, CA24212020.0%
      Strawberry CDP (Tuolumne County), CA11612524.6%
      Pacheco, CA4,77511615.7%
      San Miguel CDP (San Luis Obispo County), CA2,69612928.9%
      El Cerrito CDP, CA5,69914039.6%
      El Cerrito, CA25,280201100.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Franklin, IN25,276936.8%
      Suitland, MD25,27312019.8%
      Prince Edward County, ON25,289n/a 
      Clinton, IA25,2908614.4%
      Mount Pleasant, MI25,2908911.3%
      El Cerrito, CA25,280201100.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.