If you're considering living in Fullerton, the first thing you need to think about is housing costs like rent.

Since it's a college town, you might think that living expenses would be a bit cheaper due to the number of students, but that's not actually the case.

With California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) and Fullerton College, along with the characteristics of Orange County, the cost of living here is quite high.

If we estimate Fullerton's cost of living index at around 147, it's about 47% higher than the national average. In other words, you need to spend about 50% more than average.

There isn't much difference compared to neighboring Buena Park or Anaheim, but once you live here, the most noticeable expense is definitely housing.

These days, if you're looking for a one-bedroom apartment in Fullerton, you should expect to pay around $2,200 to $2,750 per month, and for a two-bedroom, around $2,750 to $3,400.

Especially near CSUF, rents don't tend to go down. While you can find cheaper options a bit further away, that brings up the issue of commuting by car.

If you're thinking about buying a home, the situation gets even more serious. Most single-family homes are priced around $800,000 to $950,000, and if the condition or neighborhood is good, it's common to see homes exceeding $1 million. Ultimately, the biggest reason people feel that living costs in Fullerton are high is due to housing.

Grocery costs are also definitely higher than the national average.

There are supermarkets like Stater Bros., Vons, and Walmart, and if you eat a lot of Korean food, you might find it convenient to use H Mart in Buena Park.

For a family of four, depending on your eating habits, you should budget around $1,100 to $1,450 per month for groceries to have some flexibility.

You can use Metrolink for transportation, and there are buses, but honestly, it's not easy for a family to live in Fullerton without a car.

If your job is in LA or your kids are attending school and after-school programs, having a car is essential. When you factor in insurance, gas, and maintenance, transportation costs can't be ignored.

Electricity costs are also a burden, as is typical in California. If you have a small apartment, it might be manageable, but if you use air conditioning a lot in a single-family home during the summer, your electric bill can rise significantly. So, when looking for a rental, it's a good idea to consider not just the rent but also electricity, gas, internet, and parking fees.

Still, there are clear reasons why Koreans like Fullerton.

The large Korean business district in Buena Park is right next door, and LA is not too far away. The area is well-equipped with essential infrastructure like schools, hospitals, restaurants, and shopping.

Especially if your children attend CSUF or nearby universities, the convenience of commuting is a significant advantage.

However, for international students, you shouldn't just calculate tuition fees. Living expenses can easily exceed $30,000 to $45,000 annually.

Fullerton is a comfortable city to live in and easy for Koreans to adapt to. However, that convenience definitely comes with a cost.

If you're planning to move to Fullerton or prepare for your children's study abroad, it might be better to calculate how much you'll actually spend in a year before deciding on a school.