F
64%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
174%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
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 Prunedale California National
Cost of living164140100
Goods & Services108111100
Groceries115112100
Health care123109100
Housing274196100
Transportation130126100
Utilities132127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Prunedale, CA

Knowing the cost of living in Prunedale allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Prunedale stands at 164, marking it 64% higher than the national average.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Prunedale 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, Prunedale falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Prunedale cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 173.7% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

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, Prunedale is no exception, where grocery prices are 14.5% above the national average.

Is Prunedale Affordable?

Wondering if Prunedale 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 Prunedale, for example, the median home price is 219.8% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 66.3% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Prunedale boasting a median household income of $94,179, which is 70.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Prunedale?

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 Prunedale, the healthcare costs are 22.6% 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 Prunedale, the utilities index registers 31.8% 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 Prunedale, the groceries index is 14.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Prunedale 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.

New Real Estate Listings in Prunedale Area
Search Homes for Sale in Prunedale, CA

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Prunedale is 17% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Prunedale is 64% higher than the national average
  • Prunedale housing is 174% 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 Prunedale

See all the best places to live around Prunedale

Compare Prunedale, CA Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Prunedale?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Prunedale?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Prunedale poll results

      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$99,494$8,291$2,321$2,985
      Renters$52,287$4,357$1,220$1,569
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Prunedale, 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 Prunedale have a median income of $99,494. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,321 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $52,287, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,220.

      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 Prunedale National avg. Difference
      Haircut $33.94$24.2639.9%
      Beauty Salon $48.51$45.566.5%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.4%
      Shampoo $1.66$1.2829.9%
      Movie $13.31$12.139.7%
      Bowling $33.30$18.0085.0%

      Groceries

      Item Prunedale National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.79$5.840.8%
      Fried Chicken $2.13$1.5735.7%
      Milk $5.05$4.678.2%
      Potatoes $4.77$4.933.4%
      Pizza $14.92$12.0923.5%
      Beer $10.99$10.415.6%

      Health Care

      Item Prunedale National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $158.95$125.6826.5%
      Doctor $194.05$135.7842.9%
      Dentist $147.78$113.2930.4%
      Ibuprofen $11.51$10.658.1%
      Lipitor $390.15$468.6016.7%

      Housing

      Item Prunedale National avg. Difference
      Home Price $590,600.00$184,700.00219.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $8,581.10$2,346.69265.7%
      Apartment Rent $1,578.00$949.0066.3%

      Transportation

      Item Prunedale National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.81$3.4638.9%
      Tire Balancing $65.62$59.929.5%

      Utilities

      Item Prunedale National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $294.74$193.9951.9%
      Phone $190.07$192.251.1%
      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.
      Moss Landing, CA3111716.8%
      Boronda, CA1,74013231.5%
      Sand City, CA32013737.1%
      Chualar, CA1,41313939.2%
      Pajaro, CA3,50914242.2%
      Prunedale, CA20,56016463.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hammond, LA20,557937.4%
      Bryant, AR20,563963.6%
      Adrian, MI20,5508713.2%
      Clemmons, NC20,5741065.7%
      Palm Valley, FL20,54013635.8%
      Prunedale, CA20,56016463.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.