F
119%
Overall NAT. AVG.
20%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
341%
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 San Bruno California National
Cost of living219140100
Goods & Services120111100
Groceries123112100
Health care125109100
Housing441196100
Transportation132126100
Utilities136127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in San Bruno, CA

Knowing the cost of living in San Bruno 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 San Bruno stands at 219, marking it 119% higher than the national average.

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

Housing costs are a very significant part of the San Bruno 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 340.9% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In San Bruno, these items will cost you 19.9% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

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 San Bruno is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 22.5% higher than the national average.

Is San Bruno Affordable?

Is San Bruno 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 San Bruno is 418.8% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 159.1% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. San Bruno has a median household income of $113,103, which is 104.4% higher than the national average.

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

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In San Bruno, healthcare costs are 24.8% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In San Bruno, the transportation index stands at 31.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The San Bruno 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 San Bruno is 57% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in San Bruno is 119% higher than the national average
  • San Bruno housing is 341% 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 San Bruno

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Compare San Bruno, 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$130,208$10,851$3,038$3,907
      Renters$98,861$8,238$2,307$2,966
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in San Bruno, 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 San Bruno, homeowners have a median income of $130,208. Using that number, a maximum of $3,038 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $98,861, which means there is a maximum of $2,307 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 San Bruno 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 San Bruno 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 San Bruno 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 San Bruno National avg. Difference
      Home Price $958,300.00$184,700.00418.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $7,224.18$2,346.69207.8%
      Apartment Rent $2,459.00$949.00159.1%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item San Bruno 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.
      Emeryville, CA11,67916968.9%
      San Leandro, CA90,48917271.8%
      Oakland, CA422,57518281.6%
      Colma, CA1,492203103.2%
      Daly City, CA107,197205105.3%
      San Bruno, CA44,663219119.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Strongsville, OH44,6751021.9%
      Saint-Eustache, QC44,539n/a 
      Morgan Hill, CA44,78920099.9%
      Binghamton, NY44,8198515.1%
      Barnstable Town, MA44,49713535.2%
      San Bruno, CA44,663219119.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.