Cost of Living in Bonita, CA

Population 13,336 · California · Data vintage 2023

245
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Bonita's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $902,000 for a typical home, 196% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $117,750 that put it in the upper third of the state.

Bonita is part of the immediate Chula Vista metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 29% higher than Chula Vista's $697,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 296
Rent 170

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

About the Cost of Living in Bonita

The median home value in Bonita is $902,200 — 196% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,234/month, 70% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $117,750/year is 58% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.4%, 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, Bonita has a cost of living index of 245 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 145% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$902,200
196% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$1,100,065
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,234/mo
70% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,568/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
33.7x
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 79.0%
Renter-occupied 21.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,234
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,848/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
27.5 min
2% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.7%
Carpooled
2.9%
Public transit
1.3%
Bicycle
0.6%
Work from home
15.2%

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
$117,750
58% above avg
Per Capita Income
$58,271
Unemployment Rate
5.4%
12% above avg
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Labor Force Participation
59.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.1%
Graduate degree 17.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 45.9
Male median age 42.5
Female median age 48.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 67 — Moderate
16.7%
Good air days/yr
150
Max AQI recorded
151
PM2.5 days
185
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bonita, CA?

Bonita has a cost index of 245 (100 = national average). It is 145% above the national average.

What is average rent in Bonita, CA?

The median gross rent in Bonita is $2,234 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bonita?

The median home value in Bonita is $902,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bonita?

The median household income in Bonita is $117,750 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bonita, CA?

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

Is Bonita, CA affordable?

Bonita is above average in cost of living, with an index of 245 — about 145% higher than the national average.