Cost of Living in Corning, CA

Population 8,168 · California · Data vintage 2023

88
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Corning is a smaller California community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $55,732 and housing costs ($275,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Corning sits roughly 25 miles northwest of Chico — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 40% lower than Chico's $455,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 90
Rent 85

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

About the Cost of Living in Corning

The median home value in Corning is $274,600 — 10% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,116/month, 15% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,732/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 76.0°F and lows of 50.6°F. Overall, Corning has a cost of living index of 88 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 12% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$274,600
10% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$292,231
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,116/mo
15% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.5x
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 51.4%
Renter-occupied 48.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,116
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,730/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
20.0 min
26% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.7%
Carpooled
17.9%
Walked
2.0%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
4.2%

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
$55,732
25% below avg
Per Capita Income
$20,892
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
16% below avg
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Labor Force Participation
60.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 8.1%
Graduate degree 5.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31.4
Male median age 28.7
Female median age 32.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
76.0°F
Avg Low
50.6°F
Annual Precip
23.1"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 576166728291989691796456
Low °F 384144475562666459514338
Precip" 4.714.152.911.551.250.440.060.050.191.042.544.23

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
66.3%
Good air days/yr
136
Max AQI recorded
77
PM2.5 days
285
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Corning, CA?

Corning has a cost index of 88 (100 = national average). It is 12% below the national average.

What is average rent in Corning, CA?

The median gross rent in Corning is $1,116 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Corning?

The median home value in Corning is $274,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Corning?

The median household income in Corning is $55,732 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Corning, CA?

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

Is Corning, CA affordable?

Yes, Corning is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 88 — about 12% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Corning?

Corning has average high temperatures of 76.0°F and average lows of 50.6°F. Annual precipitation is 23.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Corning at a Glance

Population
8,168
Median Income
$55,732
Home Value
$274,600
Median Rent
$1,116/mo
Unemployment
4.0%
Avg High Temp
76.0°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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