Cost of Living in San Anselmo, CA

An Overview of Cost of Living in San Anselmo, CA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in San Anselmo? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in San Anselmo stands at 237, making it 137% 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 prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, San Anselmo 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, San Anselmo 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 San Anselmo 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 400.9% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as 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 San Anselmo, you can expect to pay 19.9% more than average for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

Groceries are getting more expensive by the day and the cost of groceries makes up 13% of the overall cost of living index. In the past two years, prices have shot up by over 10%! Unfortunately, in San Anselmo, it's the same story – grocery costs are 22.5% higher than what people pay across the country.

Is San Anselmo Affordable?

Wondering if San Anselmo 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 San Anselmo, for example, the median home price is 521.1% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 120.5% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with San Anselmo boasting a median household income of $146,179, which is 164.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in San Anselmo?

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In San Anselmo, the groceries index is 22.5% higher than the national average.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In San Anselmo, the housing index stands at 400.9% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In San Anselmo, the transportation index is 31.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in San Anselmo, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.