Joe Snyder, a former mayor of Dana Point who just relocated to Oceanside, believes the city should seek for methods to reduce expenditures rather than raise fees. In Orange County, he said, he paid an average of $17 per month for water, compared to $80 in Oceanside.
“At some point, you have to say this is it; you can’t go much higher,” Snyder explained, “because if you keep going higher and higher, people would just say, ‘We’ll just go somewhere else.”
Housing Costs in California
Despite the fact that California has over 14 million housing units, it will be difficult to rent or buy a home for less than $1,000 per month (per the latest census data). In October 2021, Redfin estimated the median sale price of California homes to be $700,000, compared to a national median of $353,900 that month, and the California Association of Realtors forecasted a state median of over $800,000 in 2022.
According to 2019 data from the US Census Bureau, here’s what housing costs look like on a monthly basis:
The cost of a home in this state can vary substantially. According to Zillow, these are the average property prices in 20 major California cities in September 2021.
Groceries & Food
California’s average annual non-restaurant food expense per person, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, is $3,630. This works out to $302.50 per month per person. The average household of four might spend $1,210 on groceries every month.
Food prices vary depending on where you reside in California. The Council for Community and Economic Research, which assesses the cost of food in major American cities, has published the cost of groceries in California cities for the second quarter of 2021, from lowest to highest.
Transportation
California is known for its horrible traffic from San Diego to Sacramento, so plan on spending a lot of time in the car. What will all that commuting time set you back?
How much transportation will cost you in California depends on how many children you have and how many working adults you have in your family. The results of MIT’s Living Wage Calculator might give you an idea of what to expect in terms of costs.
Health Care
The average yearly cost of health care in California is $7,638 per year, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ Personal Consumption Expenditures by State report from 2020.
Your personal health care demands and coverage, of course, have a significant impact on how much health care will cost you each year.
Child Care
California’s average monthly child care costs range from $1,269 to $1,785 per child.
It’s no secret that one of the most significant monthly expenses is child care. What you can anticipate to pay in California varies on your child’s age and whether you want to have home-based family care or not.
It’s worth noting that by 2025, the state intends to provide free universal pre-K to all 4-year-olds.
Taxes
Residents in California are accustomed to paying huge tax bills. For those at the top of the graduated-rate income scale, state income taxes can reach 13.3 percent.
According to the Tax Foundation’s State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets for 2021, this is the highest state income tax rate in the country. Of course, the majority of earnings must still pay federal income taxes.
Consider moving to Florida, Tennessee, Texas, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nevada, Washington, or Alaska if you don’t want to pay state income taxes.
Miscellaneous Costs
It’s evident that knowing how much the necessities (food, rent, utilities, etc.) will cost you is critical, but we don’t simply buy necessities. What would be the point of that?
Personal expenditures per Californian are estimated to be $25,138 per year, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Let’s take a closer look at what you could do with some of that cash (prices are current as of November 3, 2021):
- One-day Disneyland tickets cost $104 or more, depending on the day and ticket type.
In San Diego, how much do utilities cost each month?
A typical monthly utility bill will cost roughly $138, which is slightly more than in San Francisco but less than in Los Angeles. In general, utility expenditures in San Diego are comparable to the national average.
Is it expensive to live in Oceanside?
The truth is, if it weren’t for the high expense of living, Oceanside would be a very affordable area to live. All of the other expense indices, with the exception of housing, are close to the national average. The most serious issue is housing, which is significantly more than in most other American cities.
Oceanside’s index is about 135 percent greater than the national average, which is quite high. Oceanside’s median home price is slightly over $699,000, more than three times the national average of $291,700. Oceanside is even 15% more expensive than the state housing average of $684,800 in California. That is, without a question, a difficult nut to crack for many families. Many homeowners have discovered that renting a storage unit in Oceanside, CA is a viable option. They can then buy a smaller house or rent a smaller apartment while storing their belongings in their storage container.
Is it affordable to visit Oceanside?
Oceanside boasts some of the most affordable beachfront housing in all of Southern California, and its year-round sunshine and great weather make it an ideal spot to relocate to. Oceanside is the third-largest city in San Diego County, and it forms a tri-city area inside the county with Carlsbad and Vista.
What exactly is the Sdcwa surcharge?
The SDCWA Surcharge was introduced in 2002 as a pass-through tax from the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) to recover annual increases in water costs. The monthly water usage is utilized to calculate the fee.
How much does a typical water bill cost?
The average American family uses 300 gallons of water per day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
16 That’s enough water to fill a six-person hot tub, to put it in context.
Water costs are also on the rise. In fact, between 2010 and 2015, it increased by 41%, with sewage charges and taxes increasing even more substantially. 17 Since 2015, the rate of increase has moderated, although prices have continued to rise.
In San Diego, how much does an average electric bill cost?
Although costs are higher on average than in a typical American metropolis, these expenditures are not consistent. Residents, for example, will spend 179.1 percent more for housing. The community’s typical home price is $645,000, compared to $231,000 nationally. In the last decade, the value of homes in the neighborhood has increased by 55.9%, compared to a national average of 27.4%. That could be good news for first-time homebuyers who want to be sure their investment is secure.
Renters make up 48.5 percent of the population, meaning roughly half of the citizens live in their own homes. Only roughly 6.9% of residences are declared empty, which is significantly lower than the national average of 12.2%. As a result of the increased demand for housing, prices will undoubtedly rise.
Median Home Price
The median property price in this community, like most others, varies depending on a variety of criteria. Those looking to purchase a property in a specific price range should check into numerous different communities. The Encanto district in the city’s southeast, for example, occasionally has properties for sale for between $620,00 and $750,000, making it quite inexpensive. Nestor’s median prices are sometimes occasionally cheaper than in other San Diego neighborhoods.
Emerald Hills is also an excellent neighborhood for those looking for a more inexpensive house, with prices ranging from $419,000 to $750,000. A Downtown San Diego apartment may appeal to those who prefer the bustling world of a dense metropolitan location. The median price of a home in downtown is roughly $572,000.
Median Rent
New residents who want to rent or aren’t ready to buy can choose from a choice of rental houses in the area. The average monthly rent for a studio apartment in the city is $1,450, although renters can save money by residing in the metro area for roughly $1,330. In the United States, a studio apartment costs around $820 on average.
In San Diego, a one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,620 per month. Residents in the city may pay roughly $2,110 per month for a two-bedroom apartment, compared to around $1,940 in the metro area. Adding a third bedroom can raise the monthly rent to about $3,020, over twice the national average of $1,600. The most expensive four-bedroom rentals are at $3,700 per month. It’s possible that moving to the region’s outskirts will cost around $3,400.
Utilities in San Diego
Where housing costs are significantly higher than in the average American neighborhood, utility expenditures are nearly the same. New occupants should expect to pay roughly 3% extra for basic services like electricity and water. San Diego’s warm climate, among other things, helps inhabitants avoid the high seasonal costs associated with living in colder climates. San Diego residents pay roughly $88 per month on average for power.
Water and sewerage costs must also be factored into a resident’s budget. Each month, new residents can expect to pay around $80 for their water bill. The cost of sewer service might be around $52. The price of internet service varies greatly based on the data speed and service provider. The average monthly charges for major corporations range from $50 to $60.
There are a multitude of cell phone plans available in the area. The cheapest rates start at around $40 per month, although most residents pay over $72 per month for mobile phone service. Homeowners insurance is a final expenditure to consider. While many people may not think this expense is required, it is the most effective approach to safeguard property against loss. The cost of coverage is estimated to be around $905 per year.
What is the cost of a water bill in San Diego?
The first rate increase, which will affect all 2.2 million municipal sewer customers, will begin on January 1st.
“It’s not fun to do this, but it’s essential,” said Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera, who highlighted that a portion of the money will go toward the city’s Pure Water project, which aims to cut wastewater treatment costs and discharges into the ocean by reusing water.
He also noted that many of the inhabitants of District 9, which he represents, live in multi-generational households and that the rate hike could have a substantial impact on them. Southeast San Diego, City Heights, Kensington, and the College Area are all included in District 9.
According to Adam Jones, deputy director of the public utilities department, the average monthly wastewater fee in San Diego is $40.52. In 2022, the bill will be $47.64, $49.58 in 2023, $51.53 in 2024, and $53 in 2025. Jones claimed the city hadn’t done a wastewater rate analysis since 2007.
“This should have been handled years ago,” said City Council President Jennifer Campbell, who blamed former Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s administration for most of the problem.
Next year, the council will raise water rates to cover a “pass-through” charge from the San Diego County Water Authority, as well as an adjustment to account for growing water fees. The city imports up to 90% of its water, the majority of which is obtained from the regional water authority, which serves 24 cities and water districts. For the first time in two years, the city is seeking a 3% rate increase beginning in 2022.
The majority of the proposal received an 8-0 vote from the City Council, with Councilman Chris Cate voting nay on the pass-through charge. Due to a positive COVID-19 diagnostic, Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert was unable to attend.
Along with Pure Water, the sewer rate increases will assist the city continue to improve its basic infrastructure by replacing aged pipes and sewer mains.
All city public utility customers got a voter-mandated Proposition 218 notice in the mail prior to the Council vote, outlining the proposed rate hikes and how people might register a protest during Tuesday’s public hearing.
The city has held many community meetings in recent months to allow residents to ask questions of department officials and learn more about the planned increases.
How much does a gallon of gas cost on average in San Diego?
San Diego traffic can be congested, especially on the city’s major freeways, which inhabitants utilize to go to and from work. People go from the northern portion of San Diego to the naval base, colleges, and downtown regions through Interstate 5. Commuters from the east, such as Riverside and Escondido, use Interstate 15 to go to work. Expect to be stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic during rush hour.
Additionally, school breaks bring a large number of families to San Diego’s beaches and other attractions, increasing traffic on the roads. If you don’t want to drive, you can take the Metropolitan Transit System, which has multiple bus routes and trolleys that can take you to some of San Diego’s most popular destinations. One-way tickets start at $2.50, and you can save money with the Compass Card.
Regular gasoline costs $4.85 per gallon, while premium petrol costs $5.09 per gallon. Expect to pay a little more than the national average for auto insurance. The average annual cost in San Diego County is $1,030. Drivers in other parts of California pay roughly $842, while drivers across the country pay about $889.
