F
46%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
126%
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 Vacaville California National
Cost of living146140100
Goods & Services109111100
Groceries108112100
Health care113109100
Housing226196100
Transportation121126100
Utilities114127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Vacaville, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Vacaville is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Vacaville is 146, which is 46% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Vacaville may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Vacaville falls within this bracket.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Vacaville 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 125.6% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Vacaville?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 13 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Vacaville and this is how they responded. 23% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 77% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Vacaville Affordable?

Wondering if Vacaville 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 Vacaville, for example, the median home price is 142.9% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 85.1% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Vacaville boasting a median household income of $93,291, which is 68.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Vacaville?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Vacaville, the utilities index is 14% higher than the national average.

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 Vacaville, the housing index is 125.6% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Vacaville, the transportation index is 20.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Vacaville 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 Vacaville is 4% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Vacaville is 46% higher than the national average
  • Vacaville housing is 126% 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 Vacaville

See all the best places to live around Vacaville

Compare Vacaville, 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$110,677$9,223$2,582$3,321
      Renters$65,531$5,461$1,529$1,966
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Vacaville, 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 Vacaville, the median monthly income is $110,677 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,582 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $65,531, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,529 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 Vacaville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $40.00$24.2664.9%
      Beauty Salon $60.53$45.5632.8%
      Toothpaste $3.67$3.701.0%
      Shampoo $1.44$1.2812.5%
      Movie $13.76$12.1313.4%
      Bowling $22.22$18.0023.5%

      Groceries

      Item Vacaville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.56$5.844.7%
      Fried Chicken $2.06$1.5731.0%
      Milk $4.93$4.675.5%
      Potatoes $4.69$4.935.0%
      Pizza $13.98$12.0915.7%
      Beer $10.49$10.410.8%

      Health Care

      Item Vacaville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $153.50$125.6822.1%
      Doctor $201.43$135.7848.3%
      Dentist $115.72$113.292.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.03$10.653.5%
      Lipitor $380.45$468.6018.8%

      Housing

      Item Vacaville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $448,700.00$184,700.00142.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,182.68$2,346.6935.6%
      Apartment Rent $1,757.00$949.0085.1%

      Transportation

      Item Vacaville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.51$3.4630.2%
      Tire Balancing $58.67$59.922.1%

      Utilities

      Item Vacaville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $238.53$193.9923.0%
      Phone $190.81$192.250.7%
      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.
      Moskowite Corner, CA6911211.6%
      Lemon Hill, CA15,10411111.5%
      Green Valley CDP (Los Angeles County), CA1,00012121.1%
      Elmira, CA23411717.5%
      University of California-Davis, CA9,03112221.9%
      Vacaville, CA99,95814645.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kenosha, WI99,767982.3%
      San Angelo, TX100,509918.7%
      Tuscaloosa, AL100,633981.9%
      Spokane Valley, WA99,2751088.3%
      Vista, CA100,65915353.5%
      Vacaville, CA99,95814645.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.