Cost of Living in Pacifica, CA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Pacifica, CA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Pacifica? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Pacifica stands at 219, making it 119% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Pacifica 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, Pacifica 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 Pacifica 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 337.7% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, 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 Pacifica, you can expect to pay 19.9% more than average for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Pacifica is no exception, where grocery prices are 22.5% above the national average.

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

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 8 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Pacifica. The results indicated that 13% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 88% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Pacifica Affordable?

Wondering if Pacifica is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Pacifica, for example, the median home price is 410.8% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 167.1% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Pacifica boasting a median household income of $130,466, which is 135.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Pacifica?

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 Pacifica, the healthcare costs are 24.8% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Pacifica, the groceries index is 22.5% higher than the national average.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Pacifica, the utilities index registers 35.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Pacifica displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.