Cost of Living in Porterville, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,019 (excluding rent), and $2,541 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,495 (excluding rent), and $5,024 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.23 $19.23

$12.14 $12.14

$35.42 $35.42

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.4 $76.4

$51 $51

$127 $127

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.11 $11.11

$10.1 $10.1

$14.13 $14.13

Cappuccino

$5.14 $5.14

$3.54 $3.54

$8.09 $8.09

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.01 $2.01

$4.02 $4.02

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.48 $1.48

$2.97 $2.97

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.15 $6.15

$4.1 $4.1

$8.2 $8.2

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.15 $7.15

$5.11 $5.11

$10.21 $10.21

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.77 $0.77

$1.47 $1.47

White Bread (500g)

$3.44 $3.44

$2.04 $2.04

$5.4 $5.4

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$2.1 $2.1

$8.62 $8.62

Eggs

$4.26 $4.26

$2.05 $2.05

$7.18 $7.18

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.03 $12.03

$6.87 $6.87

$21.64 $21.64

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.62 $11.62

$6.23 $6.23

$20.17 $20.17

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.61 $15.61

$10.03 $10.03

$24.53 $24.53

Apples (1kg)

$5.04 $5.04

$2.64 $2.64

$9.08 $9.08

Banana (1kg)

$1.59 $1.59

$1.09 $1.09

$4.14 $4.14

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 $4.18

$2.17 $2.17

$8.68 $8.68

Tomato (1kg)

$4.58 $4.58

$2.14 $2.14

$8.56 $8.56

Potato (1kg)

$2.86 $2.86

$1.33 $1.33

$6.19 $6.19

Onion (1kg)

$2.89 $2.89

$1.88 $1.88

$4.52 $4.52

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.42 $1.42

$3.07 $3.07

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$1.17 $1.17

$3.17 $3.17

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.78 $9.78

$8.16 $8.16

$12.24 $12.24

Wine (Bottle)

$14.27 $14.27

$9.17 $9.17

$22.42 $22.42

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.85 $1.85

$1.77 $1.77

$2.93 $2.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.4 $3.4

$1.62 $1.62

$6.06 $6.06

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.23 $1.23

$1.96 $1.96

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.54 $3.54

$3.04 $3.04

$5.06 $5.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.59 $1.59

$1.52 $1.52

$2.12 $2.12

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.27 $29.27

$26.47 $26.47

$35.09 $35.09

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.9 $0.9

$0.79 $0.79

$1.03 $1.03

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.1K $30.1K

$24.1K $24.1K

$36.7K $36.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.1K $25.1K

$24.5K $24.5K

$26.5K $26.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$185 $185

$118 $118

$338 $338

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53.5 $53.5

$30.39 $30.39

$101 $101

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.4 $67.4

$49.95 $49.95

$99.9 $99.9

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.14 $43.14

$17.56 $17.56

$50.2 $50.2

Cinema Ticket

$13.57 $13.57

$11.06 $11.06

$18.09 $18.09

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,316 $1,316

$1,014 $1,014

$1,873 $1,873

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.4K $23.4K

$16.8K $16.8K

$27.2K $27.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.7 $51.7

$30.47 $30.47

$81.3 $81.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.5 $40.5

$25.31 $25.31

$65.8 $65.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.2 $85.2

$59 $59

$128 $128

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$111 $111

$63.5 $63.5

$198 $198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,575 $1,575

$1,180 $1,180

$1,826 $1,826

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,359 $1,359

$1,004 $1,004

$1,506 $1,506

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,581 $2,581

$1,963 $1,963

$2,944 $2,944

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,223 $2,223

$1,700 $1,700

$2,500 $2,500

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,779 $2,779

$1,971 $1,971

$2,779 $2,779

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,478 $2,478

$1,910 $1,910

$2,478 $2,478

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.19

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Porterville, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Porterville blends small-town charm with practical affordability, especially when you compare it to coastal California metros. If you're weighing value for a longer stay, you'll notice a range of housing options – from vintage downtown units to quiet suburban homes – at prices gentler than bigger cities, plus groceries and everyday services that stay reasonable. The pace is slower, and you can usually arrange short- or mid-term leases that fit a nomad schedule. Cost of Living in Porterville, CA tends to reward those who prioritize location and flexibility over flash. Tip: plan for seasonal heat and enjoy early-morning outdoor work sessions to save energy costs.

Daily life centers on a quiet Monday-to-Friday pace with easy access to outdoor recreation and family-friendly neighborhoods. When housing-searching, start with downtown and East Porterville-adjacent areas for walkability and reasonable rents, then widen to hillside subdivisions if you want views. Grocery options include big chains and familiar markets, with seasonal produce from local farms nearby. For transport, a car is the most practical way to move around, but a bike and occasional bus routes serve the town and connections to nearby towns. Co-working spaces and libraries offer quiet corners for remote work, plus cafes with reliable WiFi. Tip: map errands by route to cut back on trips.

Quality of life here blends friendly community vibes with access to outdoor escapes, daylight hours, and straightforward services. Budgeting works best with a simple framework: group expenses by housing, food, transport, and leisure, then track changes by season – summers demand cooling and hydration costs; winters are mild enough to keep heating modest. To save, consider renting a smaller unit and cooking at home, shop farmers markets for fresh, affordable produce, and use local libraries and parks for free or low-cost activities. Neighborhood fit ranges from walkable downtown blocks to quiet residential hillsides; Porterville, CA living cost can feel very reasonable if you prioritize location and flexibility. Tip: map errands by route to cut back on trips.