CostLens
HomeUnited States › Imperial Beach

Cost of Living in Imperial Beach

Imperial Beach, California, United States · Population 25,764

▼ -16% vs United States average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$1,110
Couple, monthly$2,021
Family of four, monthly$2,664

Estimated Prices in Imperial Beach

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$10.13per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$40.50per meal
Cappuccino$3.04each
Monthly groceries (single person)$230per month
Monthly public transport pass$37.13per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$97.88per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$28.35per month
Fitness club membership$28.35per month
Cinema ticket$7.43each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$625per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$435per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$1,304per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Imperial Beach is $3,510 per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $1,110 with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $1,443 per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($435) represents about 39% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Imperial Beach

Imperial Beach vs New YorkImperial Beach vs Los AngelesImperial Beach vs ChicagoImperial Beach vs MiamiImperial Beach vs HoustonImperial Beach vs Dallas

Nearby Cities

National City

11 km away · California

Coronado

11 km away · California

Chula Vista

12 km away · California

Bonita

13 km away · California

La Presa

19 km away · California

Lemon Grove

20 km away · California

Spring Valley

22 km away · California

La Mesa

24 km away · California

Other Major Cities in United States

New York

New York · pop. 19,268,388

$1,664 / mo

Los Angeles

California · pop. 11,984,083

$1,635 / mo

Chicago

Illinois · pop. 8,609,571

$1,635 / mo

Miami

Florida · pop. 6,391,670

$1,635 / mo

Houston

Texas · pop. 6,227,666

$1,635 / mo

Dallas

Texas · pop. 5,968,322

$1,635 / mo

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania · pop. 5,782,653

$1,635 / mo

Atlanta

Georgia · pop. 5,298,788

$1,635 / mo

Living in Imperial Beach

Imperial Beach is one of the key cities in United States. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $1,110, placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $435 per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $2,664 per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $2,021 monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Imperial Beach is $3,510. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $1,443 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Imperial Beach expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $1,110 per month in Imperial Beach including rent outside the city centre. That is 16% less than the national average for United States.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Imperial Beach?
A net salary of around $1,443 per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Imperial Beach with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Imperial Beach is $3,510.
How much is rent in Imperial Beach?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $625 per month in the city centre and $435 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,304.
Is Imperial Beach cheaper than United States on average?
Yes — Imperial Beach is estimated to be about 16% cheaper than the United States average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in Imperial Beach?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $230 in Imperial Beach. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $10 and a cappuccino runs around $3.
How do transport costs in Imperial Beach compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Imperial Beach is estimated at $37. Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Imperial Beach are estimates based on United States national averages adjusted for city size (population 25,764). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.