F
137%
Overall NAT. AVG.
20%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
399%
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 Half Moon Bay California National
Cost of living237140100
Goods & Services120111100
Groceries123112100
Health care125109100
Housing499196100
Transportation132126100
Utilities136127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Half Moon Bay, CA

Understanding the cost of living in Half Moon Bay 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 Half Moon Bay cost of living index is 237, which is 137% 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 Half Moon Bay 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, Half Moon Bay falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Half Moon Bay, 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 398.7% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, 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 Half Moon Bay, you can expect to pay 19.9% more than average for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

Groceries are getting more expensive by the day and the cost of groceries makes up 13% of the overall cost of living index. In the past two years, prices have shot up by over 10%! Unfortunately, in Half Moon Bay, it's the same story – grocery costs are 22.5% higher than what people pay across the country.

Is Half Moon Bay Affordable?

Is Half Moon Bay affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Half Moon Bay, for instance, where the median home price falls 525.3% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 103.2% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Half Moon Bay flaunting a median household income of $131,233, 137.2% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Half Moon Bay?

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Half Moon Bay, the groceries index is 22.5% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Half Moon Bay 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. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Half Moon Bay is 70% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Half Moon Bay is 137% higher than the national average
  • Half Moon Bay housing is 399% 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 Half Moon Bay

See all the best places to live around Half Moon Bay

Compare Half Moon Bay, 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$154,038$12,837$3,594$4,622
      Renters$82,440$6,870$1,923$2,473
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Half Moon Bay, 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 Half Moon Bay have a median income of $154,038. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $3,594 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $82,440, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,923.

      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 Half Moon Bay National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.38$24.2617.0%
      Beauty Salon $85.43$45.5687.5%
      Toothpaste $4.09$3.7010.4%
      Shampoo $1.65$1.2829.1%
      Movie $16.02$12.1332.0%
      Bowling $24.01$18.0033.4%

      Groceries

      Item Half Moon Bay National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.23$5.846.7%
      Fried Chicken $2.11$1.5734.1%
      Milk $5.18$4.6710.9%
      Potatoes $4.98$4.930.9%
      Pizza $15.74$12.0930.2%
      Beer $11.21$10.417.6%

      Health Care

      Item Half Moon Bay National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $159.79$125.6827.1%
      Doctor $174.45$135.7828.5%
      Dentist $155.36$113.2937.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.30$10.656.1%
      Lipitor $498.84$468.606.5%

      Housing

      Item Half Moon Bay National avg. Difference
      Home Price $1,155,000.00$184,700.00525.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $7,224.18$2,346.69207.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,928.00$949.00103.2%

      Transportation

      Item Half Moon Bay National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.63$3.4633.9%
      Tire Balancing $75.33$59.9225.7%

      Utilities

      Item Half Moon Bay National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $298.77$193.9954.0%
      Phone $203.63$192.255.9%
      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.
      Loma Mar, CA28211716.8%
      Colma, CA1,492203103.2%
      La Honda, CA1,229203103.5%
      South San Francisco, CA66,878212112.4%
      Brisbane, CA4,645213113.0%
      Half Moon Bay, CA12,583237136.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Wilton Manors, FL12,58213131.2%
      East Renton Highlands, WA12,57616665.6%
      Maili, HI12,59116867.5%
      Richmond, TX12,592982.3%
      Truro, NS12,598n/a 
      Half Moon Bay, CA12,583237136.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.