Cost of Living in Bella Vista, CA

Population 3,843 · California · Data vintage 2023

113
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Bella Vista a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $440,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 65 miles northwest of Chico, Bella Vista is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Housing prices track closely with Chico's $455,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 144
Rent 66

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

About the Cost of Living in Bella Vista

The median home value in Bella Vista is $439,600 — 44% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $862/month, 34% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $88,318/year is 18% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.3%, 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%. Overall, Bella Vista has a cost of living index of 113 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$439,600
44% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$298,339
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$862/mo
34% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
42.5x
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 85.7%
Renter-occupied 14.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$862
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,476/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
22.7 min
16% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.3%
Carpooled
10.4%
Walked
0.2%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
9.2%

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
$88,318
18% above avg
Per Capita Income
$42,066
Unemployment Rate
9.3%
94% above avg
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Labor Force Participation
55.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.3%
Graduate degree 8.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 47.3
Male median age 40.9
Female median age 50.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 45 — Good
67.7%
Good air days/yr
1435
Max AQI recorded
93
PM2.5 days
272
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bella Vista, CA?

Bella Vista has a cost index of 113 (100 = national average). It is 13% above the national average.

What is average rent in Bella Vista, CA?

The median gross rent in Bella Vista is $862 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bella Vista?

The median home value in Bella Vista is $439,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bella Vista?

The median household income in Bella Vista is $88,318 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bella Vista, CA?

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

Is Bella Vista, CA affordable?

Bella Vista is above average in cost of living, with an index of 113 — about 13% higher than the national average.

Bella Vista at a Glance

Population
3,843
Median Income
$88,318
Home Value
$439,600
Median Rent
$862/mo
Unemployment
9.3%
Sales Tax
8.7%
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🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

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