Cost of Living in Castroville, CA

Population 6,870 · California · Data vintage 2023

176
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Castroville run well above the national baseline, with a median of $649,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $90,486 place the city among the better-paid California metros. An unemployment rate of 2.8% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Castroville sits roughly 8 miles northwest of Salinas — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Salinas' $611,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 213
Rent 121

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

About the Cost of Living in Castroville

The median home value in Castroville is $648,700 — 113% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,593/month, 21% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $90,486/year is 21% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.8%, below 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, Castroville has a cost of living index of 176 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 76% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$648,700
113% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$200,895
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,593/mo
21% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
33.9x
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 42.9%
Renter-occupied 57.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,593
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,207/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
29.3 min
9% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.1%
Carpooled
3.8%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
0.2%
Work from home
5.8%

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
$90,486
21% above avg
Per Capita Income
$20,260
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
41% below avg
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Labor Force Participation
60.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 4.5%
Graduate degree 1.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 29.6
Male median age 32.5
Female median age 26

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
75.1%
Good air days/yr
115
Max AQI recorded
212
PM2.5 days
146
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Castroville, CA?

Castroville has a cost index of 176 (100 = national average). It is 76% above the national average.

What is average rent in Castroville, CA?

The median gross rent in Castroville is $1,593 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Castroville?

The median home value in Castroville is $648,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Castroville?

The median household income in Castroville is $90,486 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Castroville, CA?

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

Is Castroville, CA affordable?

Castroville is above average in cost of living, with an index of 176 — about 76% higher than the national average.

Castroville at a Glance

Population
6,870
Median Income
$90,486
Home Value
$648,700
Median Rent
$1,593/mo
Unemployment
2.8%
Sales Tax
8.7%
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🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

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