Cost of Living in Hawthorne, CA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Hawthorne, CA

The cost of living in Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne is 162, which is 62% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Hawthorne 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, Hawthorne falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Hawthorne cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 170.4% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Hawthorne goods and services are 16.2% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

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, Hawthorne does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 12.2% higher than the national average.

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

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 10 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Hawthorne. The feedback revealed that 70% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 30% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Hawthorne Affordable?

Is Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne, the median home price is 226% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 40.7% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Hawthorne come in at $57,849, which is 4.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Hawthorne?

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Hawthorne, the groceries index registers 12.2% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Hawthorne, the utilities index is 12.4% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Hawthorne, the transportation index stands at 24.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Hawthorne 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.