Cost of Living in Chowchilla, CA
Population 18,876 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Chowchilla sits on the smaller end of the California city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Around 22% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.
Located 35 miles northwest of Fresno, Chowchilla falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Fresno's $349,000 median.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Chowchilla
The median home value in Chowchilla is $331,500 — 9% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,204/month, 8% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $63,308/year is 15% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.2%, 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, Chowchilla has a cost of living index of 102 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 2% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Chowchilla, CA?
Chowchilla has a cost index of 102 (100 = national average). It is 2% above the national average.
What is average rent in Chowchilla, CA?
The median gross rent in Chowchilla is $1,204 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Chowchilla?
The median home value in Chowchilla is $331,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Chowchilla?
The median household income in Chowchilla is $63,308 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Chowchilla, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Chowchilla is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Chowchilla, CA affordable?
Chowchilla is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 102 (100 = US average).
Chowchilla at a Glance
- Population
- 18,876
- Median Income
- $63,308
- Home Value
- $331,500
- Median Rent
- $1,204/mo
- Unemployment
- 9.2%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
California Rankings
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