Cost of Living in Colusa, CA

Population 6,439 · California · Data vintage 2023

105
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Colusa 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. At 9.7%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 40 miles south of Chico, Colusa falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 22% lower than Chico's $455,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 117
Rent 86

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

About the Cost of Living in Colusa

The median home value in Colusa is $357,400 — 17% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,130/month, 14% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $68,750/year is 8% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.7%, 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, Colusa has a cost of living index of 105 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$357,400
17% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$274,339
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,130/mo
14% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.4x
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 59.8%
Renter-occupied 40.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,130
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,744/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
22.5 min
17% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
83.8%
Carpooled
9.3%
Public transit
0.9%
Walked
1.6%
Work from home
3.9%

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
$68,750
8% below avg
Per Capita Income
$31,144
Unemployment Rate
9.7%
102% above avg
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Labor Force Participation
59.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.6%
Graduate degree 4.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.6
Male median age 35.5
Female median age 39

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 55 — Moderate
31.5%
Good air days/yr
98
Max AQI recorded
268
PM2.5 days
97
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Colusa, CA?

Colusa has a cost index of 105 (100 = national average). It is 5% above the national average.

What is average rent in Colusa, CA?

The median gross rent in Colusa is $1,130 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Colusa?

The median home value in Colusa is $357,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Colusa?

The median household income in Colusa is $68,750 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Colusa, CA?

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

Is Colusa, CA affordable?

Colusa is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 105 (100 = US average).

Colusa at a Glance

Population
6,439
Median Income
$68,750
Home Value
$357,400
Median Rent
$1,130/mo
Unemployment
9.7%
Sales Tax
8.7%
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🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

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