F
60%
Overall NAT. AVG.
16%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
162%
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 Rosemead California National
Cost of living160140100
Goods & Services116111100
Groceries112112100
Health care108109100
Housing262196100
Transportation124126100
Utilities112127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Rosemead, CA

Knowing the cost of living in Rosemead 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 Rosemead stands at 160, marking it 60% higher than the national average.

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 Rosemead 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, Rosemead 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 Rosemead 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 162.5% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

The things you purchase regularly, like clothes, haircuts, movie tickets and gym memberships, can make a big dent in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. Unfortunately in Rosemead, these items will cost you 16.2% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

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

Is Rosemead Affordable?

Is Rosemead 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 Rosemead, the median home price is 211.9% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 47.3% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Rosemead boasting a median household income of $60,006, 8.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Rosemead?

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Rosemead, the utilities index stands at 12.4% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Rosemead, the groceries index is 12.2% higher than the national average.

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 Rosemead, the housing index is 162.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Rosemead 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 Rosemead is 14% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Rosemead is 60% higher than the national average
  • Rosemead housing is 162% 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 Rosemead

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Compare Rosemead, 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$74,805$6,234$1,745$2,244
      Renters$47,433$3,953$1,107$1,423
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Rosemead, CA, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Rosemead, homeowners have a median income of $74,805. Using that number, a maximum of $1,745 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $47,433, which means there is a maximum of $1,107 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Rosemead National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.67$24.261.7%
      Beauty Salon $49.33$45.568.3%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.41$1.289.8%
      Movie $13.46$12.1311.0%
      Bowling $19.07$18.006.0%

      Groceries

      Item Rosemead National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.26$5.847.2%
      Fried Chicken $2.08$1.5732.2%
      Milk $4.76$4.671.9%
      Potatoes $4.94$4.930.2%
      Pizza $16.13$12.0933.5%
      Beer $9.60$10.417.8%

      Health Care

      Item Rosemead National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.09$125.682.7%
      Doctor $119.86$135.7811.7%
      Dentist $108.07$113.294.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.36$10.652.7%
      Lipitor $505.41$468.607.9%

      Housing

      Item Rosemead National avg. Difference
      Home Price $576,000.00$184,700.00211.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,799.02$2,346.6919.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,398.00$949.0047.3%

      Transportation

      Item Rosemead National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.47$3.4629.3%
      Tire Balancing $58.33$59.922.6%

      Utilities

      Item Rosemead National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $326.49$193.9968.3%
      Phone $182.78$192.254.9%
      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.
      Vernon, CA24811717.0%
      Willowbrook, CA24,40113333.3%
      Compton, CA95,80413636.2%
      Florence-Graham, CA64,78713736.5%
      Industry, CA26413333.1%
      Rosemead, CA53,85016059.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Elyria, OH53,8448713.4%
      Aspen Hill, MD53,86913939.0%
      Novato, CA53,78119797.5%
      Minnetonka, MN53,76012222.4%
      Paramount, CA53,94913938.9%
      Rosemead, CA53,85016059.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.