National City, CA Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In National City, CA Summary

Cost of living in National City research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means National City is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in California, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in National City is 142, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in National City is 1.4x higher than the national average.

  • National City ranks as the #260 cheapest in California out of 634.

  • National City ranks as the #5,468 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in National City is $669,496.

  • The median income in National City is $64,248.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
142
National City's Overall Cost Of Living
1.4x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in National City, CA?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, National City has an overall cost of living index of 142, which is 1.4x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to California, National City has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than California's index of 141.

The standard of living in National City ranks as #260 most affordable out of the 634 places we measured in California. By definition, that implies National City ranks as the #374 most expensive place in the Golden State.

For more reading on life in National City, check out:

260 out of 634
In California
5,468 out of 6,489
In America

National City Cost Of Living Vs. California

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in National City. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in National City is 114.

  • The Groceries index in National City is 114.

  • The Health index in National City is 107.

  • The Housing index in National City is 202.

  • The Transportation index in National City is 125.

  • The Utilities index in National City is 108.

Living Expense National City California National Average
Overall 142 141 100
Services 114 110 100
Groceries 114 112 100
Health 107 110 100
Housing 202 195 100
Transportation 125 125 100
Utilities 108 128 100
For more reading on cost of living around California, check out:
National City Cost of Living Vs. CA

National City, 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 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in National City is $669,496.

  • The Median Rent in National City is $1,619.

  • The Median Income in National City is $64,248.

  • The Home Value To Income in National City is 10.4x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in National City is 0.3x.

Statistic National City California United States
Median Home Value $669,496 $763,287 $303,400
Median Rent $1,619 $1,956 $1,348
Median Income $64,248 $96,334 $78,538
Home Value To Income 10.4x 7.9x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.3x 0.24x 0.21x
$669,496
Median Home Value
$1,619
Median Rent
$64,248
Median Income

National City, CA Costs By Category

Detailed National City Services Costs Vs. California

Item National City California
Shampoo $1.5 $1.28
Movie $16.89 $12.13
Bowling $24.67 $18
Haircut $26.92 $24.26
Beauty Salon $65.77 $45.56

Detailed National City Groceries Costs Vs. California

Item National City California
Ground Beef $5.47 $5.84
Fried Chicken $3.05 $1.57
Milk $4.98 $4.67
Potatoes $4.94 $4.93
Pizza $14.69 $12.09
Beer $11.25 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.73 $3.7

Detailed National City Health Costs Vs. California

Item National City California
Optometrist $138.66 $125.68
Doctor $132.5 $135.78
Dentist $121.37 $113.29

Detailed National City Transportation Costs Vs. California

Item National City California
Gasoline $4.68 $3.46
Tire Balancing $64.4 $59.92

Detailed National City Utilities Costs Vs. California

Item National City California
All Electricity $223.42 $193.99
Phone $180.31 $192.25

National City SnackAbility

6
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
5/10
Housing
9
Affordability
3
Diversity
9
Safety
5
Amenities
10
Education
4
Commute
6

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