Cost of Living in Signal Hill, CA

Population 11,563 · California · Data vintage 2023

198
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Signal Hill run well above the national baseline, with a median of $726,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $102,303 place the city among the better-paid California metros.

Geographically, Signal Hill is part of the immediate Long Beach metro area. Housing prices track closely with Long Beach's $762,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 238
Rent 138

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

About the Cost of Living in Signal Hill

The median home value in Signal Hill is $725,500 — 138% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,817/month, 38% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $102,303/year is 37% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.3%, 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 73.9°F and lows of 55.9°F. Overall, Signal Hill has a cost of living index of 198 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 98% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$725,500
138% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$700,524
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,817/mo
38% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,347/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
33.3x
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 51.7%
Renter-occupied 48.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,817
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,431/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
34.7 min
29% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.0%
Carpooled
6.5%
Public transit
1.9%
Walked
1.1%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
16.2%

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
$102,303
37% above avg
Per Capita Income
$52,980
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
10% above avg
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Labor Force Participation
70.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.4%
Graduate degree 13.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.9
Male median age 41.3
Female median age 40

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
73.9°F
Avg Low
55.9°F
Annual Precip
12"
40° 53° 65° 78° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 676769717376818382787367
Low °F 474851545861656664595247
Precip" 2.893.021.650.560.260.070.050.010.080.530.752.15

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 67 — Moderate
11.2%
Good air days/yr
210
Max AQI recorded
203
PM2.5 days
150
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Signal Hill, CA?

Signal Hill has a cost index of 198 (100 = national average). It is 98% above the national average.

What is average rent in Signal Hill, CA?

The median gross rent in Signal Hill is $1,817 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Signal Hill?

The median home value in Signal Hill is $725,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Signal Hill?

The median household income in Signal Hill is $102,303 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Signal Hill, CA?

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

Is Signal Hill, CA affordable?

Signal Hill is above average in cost of living, with an index of 198 — about 98% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Signal Hill?

Signal Hill has average high temperatures of 73.9°F and average lows of 55.9°F. Annual precipitation is 12". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Signal Hill at a Glance

Population
11,563
Median Income
$102,303
Home Value
$725,500
Median Rent
$1,817/mo
Unemployment
5.3%
Avg High Temp
73.9°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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