F
71%
Overall NAT. AVG.
14%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
191%
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 Lorenzo California National
Cost of living171140100
Goods & Services114111100
Groceries117112100
Health care121109100
Housing291196100
Transportation129126100
Utilities134127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in San Lorenzo, CA

Knowing the cost of living in San Lorenzo 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 Lorenzo stands at 171, marking it 71% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in San Lorenzo is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, San Lorenzo falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in San Lorenzo, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 191.4% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In San Lorenzo, you you will have to spend 14.1% more than average when compared to the typical prices 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, San Lorenzo is no exception, where grocery prices are 17.2% above the national average.

Is San Lorenzo Affordable?

Is San Lorenzo 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 San Lorenzo, the median home price is 234.6% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 90.5% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with San Lorenzo boasting a median household income of $91,319, 65.1% higher than the national average.

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

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In San Lorenzo, the housing index is 191.4% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

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 San Lorenzo, the groceries index is 17.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The San Lorenzo cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates 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 Lorenzo is 23% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in San Lorenzo is 71% higher than the national average
  • San Lorenzo housing is 191% 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 Lorenzo

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Compare San Lorenzo, 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$106,156$8,846$2,477$3,185
      Renters$70,268$5,856$1,639$2,108
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in San Lorenzo, CA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In San Lorenzo, the median monthly income is $106,156 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,477 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $70,268, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,639 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Lorenzo National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.00$24.263.0%
      Beauty Salon $76.00$45.5666.8%
      Toothpaste $3.64$3.701.7%
      Shampoo $1.45$1.2813.5%
      Movie $16.46$12.1335.7%
      Bowling $27.22$18.0051.2%

      Groceries

      Item San Lorenzo National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.70$5.842.3%
      Fried Chicken $3.43$1.57118.2%
      Milk $4.91$4.675.1%
      Potatoes $4.87$4.931.3%
      Pizza $13.49$12.0911.6%
      Beer $11.18$10.417.4%

      Health Care

      Item San Lorenzo National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $137.40$125.689.3%
      Doctor $110.00$135.7819.0%
      Dentist $118.27$113.294.4%
      Ibuprofen $11.76$10.6510.4%
      Lipitor $508.17$468.608.4%

      Housing

      Item San Lorenzo National avg. Difference
      Home Price $618,000.00$184,700.00234.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $6,553.90$2,346.69179.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,808.00$949.0090.5%

      Transportation

      Item San Lorenzo National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.60$3.4633.0%
      Tire Balancing $60.97$59.921.7%

      Utilities

      Item San Lorenzo National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $182.51$193.995.9%
      Phone $180.31$192.256.2%
      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.
      San Miguel CDP (San Luis Obispo County), CA2,69612928.9%
      Cherryland, CA15,97615858.3%
      Ashland, CA23,56616463.8%
      Emeryville, CA11,67916968.9%
      San Leandro, CA90,48917271.8%
      San Lorenzo, CA30,11717171.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Newington, CT30,11411313.1%
      Lawrenceville, GA30,1251000.3%
      Burlingame, CA30,071336236.5%
      Ballwin, MO30,1771088.3%
      Elizabethtown, KY30,179973.2%
      San Lorenzo, CA30,11717171.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.