What is the cost of living in Aptos, CA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Aptos has an overall cost of living index of 198, which is 2.0x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to California, Aptos has a cost of living index that's 1.4x higher than California's index of 142.
The standard of living in Aptos ranks as #518 most affordable out of the 634 places we measured in California. By definition, that implies Aptos ranks as the #116 most expensive place in the Golden State.
For more reading on life in Aptos, check out:
Aptos Cost Of Living Vs. California
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Aptos. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Aptos is 115.
The Groceries index in Aptos is 115.
The Health index in Aptos is 393.
The Housing index in Aptos is 114.
The Transportation index in Aptos is 118.
The Utilities index in Aptos is 122.
| Living Expense | Aptos | California | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 198 | 142 | 100 |
| Services | 115 | 110 | 100 |
| Groceries | 115 | 118 | 100 |
| Health | 393 | 197 | 100 |
| Housing | 114 | 120 | 100 |
| Transportation | 118 | 121 | 100 |
| Utilities | 122 | 121 | 100 |
Aptos Cost Of Living Compared To California Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around California, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Aptos Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Aptos, CA Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in California, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Aptos is $1,346,219.
The Median Rent in Aptos is $2,059.
The Median Income in Aptos is $134,048.
The Home Value To Income in Aptos is 10.0x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Aptos is 0.18x.
| Statistic | Aptos | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $1,346,219 | $774,581 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $2,059 | $2,036 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $134,048 | $99,122 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 10.0x | 7.8x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.18x | 0.25x | 0.21x |
Aptos, CA Costs By Category
Detailed Aptos Services costs vs. California
| Item | Aptos | California |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.66 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $13.31 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $33.3 | $18 |
| Haircut | $33.94 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $48.51 | $45.56 |
Detailed Aptos Groceries costs vs. California
| Item | Aptos | California |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.79 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $2.13 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $5.05 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.77 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $14.92 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $10.99 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.72 | $3.7 |
Detailed Aptos Health costs vs. California
| Item | Aptos | California |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $158.95 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $194.05 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $147.78 | $113.29 |
Detailed Aptos Transportation costs vs. California
| Item | Aptos | California |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $4.81 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $65.62 | $59.92 |
Detailed Aptos Utilities costs vs. California
| Item | Aptos | California |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $294.74 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $190.07 | $192.25 |
Aptos SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Aptos
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Aptos. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Santa Cruz, CA has a cost of living index of 206, 1.0x Aptos.
Morgan Hill, CA has a cost of living index of 202, 1.0x Aptos.
Los Gatos, CA has a cost of living index of 306, 1.5x Aptos.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Aptos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz, CA | 61,607 | 206 | 1.0x |
| Morgan Hill, CA | 45,425 | 202 | 1.0x |
| Los Gatos, CA | 32,786 | 306 | 1.5x |
| Prunedale, CA | 19,723 | 166 | 0.8x |
| Live Oak, CA | 16,911 | 118 | 0.6x |
| Scotts Valley, CA | 12,044 | 196 | 1.0x |
| Soquel, CA | 10,679 | 185 | 0.9x |
| Capitola, CA | 9,689 | 185 | 0.9x |
| Rio del Mar, CA | 9,201 | 214 | 1.1x |
| Interlaken, CA | 8,068 | 160 | 0.8x |
