F
61%
Overall NAT. AVG.
13%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
172%
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 Imperial Beach California National
Cost of living161140100
Goods & Services113111100
Groceries116112100
Health care105109100
Housing272196100
Transportation127126100
Utilities107127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Imperial Beach, CA

The cost of living in Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach is 161, which is 61% 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 affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Imperial Beach is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Imperial Beach falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Imperial Beach 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 171.9% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Imperial Beach, you you will have to spend 12.6% more than average when compared to the typical prices 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 Imperial Beach, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 15.6% higher than the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Imperial Beach?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 5 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Imperial Beach. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 20% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 80% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Imperial Beach Affordable?

Is Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach, the median home price is 221.3% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 56.7% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Imperial Beach boasting a median household income of $59,795, 8.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Imperial Beach?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Imperial Beach, the healthcare costs are 5% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Imperial Beach, the housing index is 171.9% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Imperial Beach 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.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Imperial Beach is 16% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Imperial Beach is 61% higher than the national average
  • Imperial Beach housing is 172% 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 Imperial Beach

See all the best places to live around Imperial Beach

Compare Imperial Beach, 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$85,579$7,132$1,997$2,568
      Renters$51,152$4,263$1,193$1,535
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Imperial Beach, CA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Imperial Beach, the median monthly income is $85,579 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,997 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $51,152, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,193 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Imperial Beach National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.92$24.2610.9%
      Beauty Salon $65.77$45.5644.3%
      Toothpaste $3.73$3.700.7%
      Shampoo $1.50$1.2817.1%
      Movie $16.89$12.1339.2%
      Bowling $24.67$18.0037.1%

      Groceries

      Item Imperial Beach National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.47$5.846.3%
      Fried Chicken $3.05$1.5793.7%
      Milk $4.98$4.676.5%
      Potatoes $4.94$4.930.0%
      Pizza $14.69$12.0921.5%
      Beer $11.25$10.418.1%

      Health Care

      Item Imperial Beach National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $138.66$125.6810.3%
      Doctor $132.50$135.782.4%
      Dentist $121.37$113.297.1%
      Ibuprofen $12.01$10.6512.7%
      Lipitor $508.17$468.608.4%

      Housing

      Item Imperial Beach National avg. Difference
      Home Price $593,400.00$184,700.00221.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,168.91$2,346.69120.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,487.00$949.0056.7%

      Transportation

      Item Imperial Beach National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.68$3.4635.1%
      Tire Balancing $64.40$59.927.5%

      Utilities

      Item Imperial Beach National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $223.42$193.9915.2%
      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.
      Spring Valley CDP (Lake County), CA1,1541055.2%
      National City, CA61,34214140.6%
      La Presa, CA37,41014444.1%
      Lemon Grove, CA26,73914544.9%
      Spring Valley, CA31,86615049.5%
      Imperial Beach, CA27,33416161.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Citrus Park, FL27,33311110.9%
      Bixby, OK27,3151032.6%
      Round Lake Beach, IL27,3131021.6%
      Gladstone, MO27,365927.7%
      Bergenfield, NJ27,37513938.6%
      Imperial Beach, CA27,33416161.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.