Cost of Living in Sierra Madre, CA
Cost of Living in Sierra Madre, CA has an overall index of 243, 143% above the U.S. baseline of 100. The typical home value is $1,397,855; typical monthly rent is $2,086; and median household income is $141,094.
Cost index: committed city housing/rent inputs and BEA 2024 metro-area price parities. Home value: Zillow ZHVI market signal as of 2026-02. Rent: Census ACS 2023 fallback place estimate. A place-level signal, not a personal affordability decision or financial recommendation.
Home prices are the main source of pressure. This describes the local market, not your household.
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Frequently asked questions about Sierra Madre
Living in Sierra Madre
Is Sierra Madre, CA an expensive place to live?+
Yes — Sierra Madre is about 143% more expensive than the national average, with an overall Cost Index of 243. Housing is the biggest factor: the typical home here is valued around $1,397,855, and monthly rents average roughly $2,086. Day-to-day costs like groceries and utilities tend to run higher than average as well.
How does Sierra Madre fit a household housing budget?+
Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $2,086, while local median household income is $141,094. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 18% before utilities and other costs. Use that as a planning signal for whether the place looks manageable under your own household assumptions.
How much are taxes in Sierra Madre, CA?+
California uses a progressive model; 13.3% is top marginal-rate context. Applying the 0.71% state-level effective owner-occupied proxy to a home worth $1,397,855 gives a planning estimate near $9,925 per year; it is not a city, county, parcel, or individual tax bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is around 8.85%.
How much does it cost to rent in Sierra Madre, CA?+
The typical monthly rent in Sierra Madre is around $2,086. That's about 55% higher than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $1,397,855, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.
How much does a house cost in Sierra Madre, CA?+
The typical home value in Sierra Madre is $1,397,855. With 20% down and the committed 6.11% national 30-year fixed benchmark as of 2026-03-12, principal and interest are roughly $6,784/month before property tax and insurance. This is a planning estimate, not a local lender quote. About 57% of residents here own their homes.
Are groceries and utilities expensive in Sierra Madre?+
Grocery prices in Sierra Madre are noticeably pricier compared to the rest of the US (index: 107, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are on the high side (index: 159). Both add meaningful weight to your monthly budget here.
What is Sierra Madre, CA like to live in?+
Sierra Madre is a small town with a population of about 11,020. The median age of residents is 46.9, skewing somewhat older — common in established suburban communities. The local poverty rate is 4.84%, well below the national average of 12.4%.