Cost of Living in Montclair, CA

Population 37,809 · California · Data vintage 2023

162
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Montclair's housing market carries a clear premium over the US median: $550,000 for a typical home, about 80% above the national figure. At 6.1%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Montclair is part of the immediate Pomona metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Pomona's $570,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 180
Rent 134

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Montclair

The median home value in Montclair is $549,600 — 80% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,759/month, 34% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $76,338/year is 2% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.1%, above the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. The climate averages highs of 79.5°F and lows of 54.1°F. Overall, Montclair has a cost of living index of 162 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 62% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$549,600
80% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$653,454
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,759/mo
34% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,545/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,195
1 BR
$1,241
2 BR
$1,544
3 BR
$2,163
4 BR
$2,556
Owner-occupied 53.9%
Renter-occupied 46.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,759
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,373/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
32.8 min
21% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.4%
Carpooled
15.0%
Public transit
1.1%
Walked
1.8%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
5.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 13.3%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 7.3%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$76,338
2% above avg
Per Capita Income
$26,889
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
27% above avg
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Labor Force Participation
60.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.8%
Graduate degree 6.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.5
Male median age 32.7
Female median age 34.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
79.5°F
Avg Low
54.1°F
Annual Precip
11.6"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 686872768086949591837567
Low °F 454649515660656564574944
Precip" 2.573.071.640.760.300.020.050.030.100.410.801.89

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 71 — Moderate
13.7%
Good air days/yr
214
Max AQI recorded
137
PM2.5 days
205
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Montclair, CA?

Montclair has a cost index of 162 (100 = national average). It is 62% above the national average.

What is average rent in Montclair, CA?

The median gross rent in Montclair is $1,759 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Montclair?

The median home value in Montclair is $549,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Montclair?

The median household income in Montclair is $76,338 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Montclair, CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Montclair is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Montclair, CA affordable?

Montclair is above average in cost of living, with an index of 162 — about 62% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Montclair?

Montclair has average high temperatures of 79.5°F and average lows of 54.1°F. Annual precipitation is 11.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Montclair at a Glance

Population
37,809
Median Income
$76,338
Home Value
$549,600
Median Rent
$1,759/mo
Unemployment
6.1%
Avg High Temp
79.5°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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