F
158%
Overall NAT. AVG.
20%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
468%
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 Larkspur California National
Cost of living258140100
Goods & Services120111100
Groceries123112100
Health care125109100
Housing568196100
Transportation132126100
Utilities136127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Larkspur, CA

Understanding the cost of living in Larkspur 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 Larkspur cost of living index is 258, which is 158% 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.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Larkspur may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Larkspur falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

When it comes to the cost of living in Larkspur, 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 468.2% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, 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, Larkspur goods and services are 19.9% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in Larkspur is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 22.5% higher than the national average.

Is Larkspur Affordable?

Is Larkspur an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Larkspur is 609.8% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 137.8% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Larkspur has a median household income of $115,543, which is 108.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Larkspur?

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Larkspur, the housing index comes in at 468.2% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Larkspur, the groceries index is 22.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Larkspur 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. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Larkspur is 85% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Larkspur is 158% higher than the national average
  • Larkspur housing is 468% 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 Larkspur

See all the best places to live around Larkspur

Compare Larkspur, 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$155,697$12,975$3,633$4,671
      Renters$88,688$7,391$2,069$2,661
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Larkspur, 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 Larkspur, the median monthly income is $155,697 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $3,633 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $88,688, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $2,069 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 Larkspur 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 Larkspur 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 Larkspur 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 Larkspur National avg. Difference
      Home Price $1,311,000.00$184,700.00609.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $7,224.18$2,346.69207.8%
      Apartment Rent $2,257.00$949.00137.8%

      Transportation

      Item Larkspur National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.63$3.4633.9%
      Tire Balancing $75.33$59.9225.7%

      Utilities

      Item Larkspur 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.
      Strawberry CDP (Tuolumne County), CA11612524.6%
      El Cerrito CDP, CA5,69914039.6%
      San Pablo, CA30,95914242.0%
      North Richmond, CA4,25814444.2%
      Vallejo, CA121,27514545.4%
      Larkspur, CA12,363258157.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lakeland Village, CA12,36212928.6%
      Urbana, MD12,36215756.9%
      Fairfax Station, VA12,36417474.3%
      Winnetka, IL12,361215115.5%
      Wellesley, ON12,358n/a 
      Larkspur, CA12,363258157.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.