Are you looking for a new home in the beautiful Tri-Valley area of California?
Nestled in the Livermore Valley, the city of Livermore, California is a large, family-friendly city with lots to offer!
But before you move, knowing the cost of living in Livermore is crucial. If you’re thinking about moving to Livermore, California you’ll want a basic idea of how much it will cost to live there.
We’ll take a look at common expenses you’re likely to face and what they average in Livermore so that you can determine if moving to Livermore works with your desired family budget.
Can you afford to live in Livermore, CA?
Cost of Housing in Livermore, CA
Of course, once you begin thinking about making Livermore your potential home, you’ll start by looking at the cost of housing in Livermore.
There is, of course, some variation, but the average single-family home costs approximately $1,000,000, give or take a few thousand dollars (Bestplaces.net).
If you prefer to join the 27% of the Livermore population that rents a home, you can expect prices to be approximately $1,860 per month for a studio apartment, $2,210 per month for a 1-bedroom, $2,700 per month for a 2-bedroom, $3,530 for a 3-bedroom, and $4,160 for a 4-bedroom.
As you can see, housing is fairly expensive in Livermore—about 149% higher than the national average. However, home quality is generally high and there are lots of benefits to buying a Livermore home, especially if you want to settle in a comfortable and family-friendly area of the Tri-Valley.
Cost of Utilities in Livermore, CA
Once you get the home of your dreams in Livermore, it’s time to start thinking about utilities! How much are you likely to have to pay for utilities in Livermore? Again, this depends on many factors, such as how large your home and vehicle are and how much you use your various utilities. However, on average, expect to pay:
- Around $230.22 for your monthly energy bill.
- About $247.67 for your monthly phone bill.
- Approximately $4.56 per gallon of gas for your vehicle.
Obviously, you can lower your utility costs by saving energy, buying a cheaper phone plan, and driving your car less. However, it’s a good idea to budget about $500 for utilities and, depending on how often you fill up your tank and how big it is, $200 to $400 per month for gas.
Cost of Groceries in Livermore, CA
As with all things, grocery prices vary by store and are usually highly affected by the local and national economy. However, on average, you can expect some typical grocery items to cost you the following:
- Loaf of bread – $5.05
- Carton of eggs – $2.93
- Bunch of bananas – $4.37
- Gallon of milk – $3.16
- Hamburger – $6.68
There are many delicious restaurants in Livermore and the other cities of the Tri-Valley, so when you’re planning a food budget, be sure to factor in at least a few nights a month for eating out!
Cost of Healthcare in Livermore, CA
As you plan for future costs, be sure not to forget to think about healthcare. From emergency visits for kids who got into scrapes at the park to routine health appointments as you (and your body) get older, you’ll need to make at least a few visits to various healthcare professionals.
On average, you can expect to pay:
- $159.88 for a doctor visit
- $150.60 for an optometrist visit
- $137.95 for a dentist visit
- $589.09 for the average prescription
If you have pets that you’ll be regularly taking to the vet, you’ll find the average cost for a vet visit is around $70.86.
Cost of Taxes in Livermore, CA
It’s important to keep an eye on taxes as you move to a new city. While you may not think about them first thing, taxes will have a huge impact on how much you actually spend.
In Livermore, the sales tax rate is 10.4%. The average property tax paid comes to around 0.8%. If your household makes an average Livermore salary of around $100,000, you can expect your income tax rate to be between 6% and 8%. If you’re single and make around $100,000, the income tax rate is closer to 9%.
Obviously, tax rates and expenses vary considerably based on income, life expenses, the home you buy, etc., but it’s important to consider these numbers as you think about buying a home in Livermore.
How Much Should I Make To Live in Livermore?
The answer to this question ultimately depends on your comfort level. Most families who live in Livermore make a salary of about $100,000 a year. If you pursue a fairly high living standard, you’ll want to make about that much to maintain it in Livermore.
However, you could probably still live comfortably with $70,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on your family’s needs and desires. Thankfully, Livermore has the potential for job growth and is home to two huge technical centers (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory), so you should be able to find a good job without much trouble.
What Am I Paying for in Livermore?
So, now that you have some idea of what it costs to live in Livermore, you may be wondering what exactly you’re paying for. After all, there’s no good reason to move somewhere that’s more expensive to live unless you’re paying for greater benefits!
Overall, you’ll find that Livermore is a vibrant, family-friendly community that places a great emphasis on arts and sciences in both the highly-rated schools and the entertainment options available to the community.
Multiple parks, delicious restaurants, and a large shopping center make up much of the city of Livermore, which is currently home to around 85,000 residents. With lots of community events (including regular horse races and a world-famous rodeo), you and your family will always have something fun to do with your neighbors! If you’re looking for a town that feels cozy and close-knit but is still bustling and energetic, Livermore is a fantastic option.
Ready To Move To Livermore, CA?
Now, it’s time for you to decide. If you like what you’ve heard about Livermore and are okay with the cost of living in the city, you may want to seriously consider moving to Livermore soon!
I can show you a list of available homes and help you figure out more specifically how much it will cost for YOUR family to live a comfortable life in Livermore.
I hope you enjoyed this article. Please let me know if you have any questions. Warren
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Hello…I work with both buyers and sellers in the Northern California area.
My real estate spans from the East Bay (Tri-Valley) to the Greater Sacramento areas.
If you would like to know more about the Tri-Valley area, please read: “Everything you need to know about the Tri-Valley area”
To better understand what each city has to offer, I have created a Pros and Cons videos and articles for each Tri-Valley Area:
If you are thinking about purchasing or selling a home, please reach out to me by text, phone, or email. If it is convenient, I can schedule a Zoom chat so we can discuss your home goals. Wishing you all the best on your home journey. Cheers!
eXp Realty
(925) 980-4603
DRE # 01861944
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