Cost of Living in Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County), CA

Population 7,170 · California · Data vintage 2023

108
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) is a smaller California community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $96,679 and housing costs ($363,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) is about 50 miles northwest of Chico, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 20% lower than Chico's $455,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 119
Rent 93

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

About the Cost of Living in Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County)

The median home value in Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) is $362,800 — 19% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,219/month, 7% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $96,679/year is 30% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.7%, 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, Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) has a cost of living index of 108 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$362,800
19% above avg
Median Rent
$1,219/mo
7% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.8x
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 63.7%
Renter-occupied 36.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,219
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,833/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
24.5 min
9% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.0%
Carpooled
9.5%
Walked
0.8%
Work from home
7.9%

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
$96,679
30% above avg
Per Capita Income
$44,293
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
18% above avg
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Labor Force Participation
61.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.0%
Graduate degree 3.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.9
Male median age 41.4
Female median age 38.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 45 — Good
67.7%
Good air days/yr
1435
Max AQI recorded
93
PM2.5 days
272
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County), CA?

Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) has a cost index of 108 (100 = national average). It is 8% above the national average.

What is average rent in Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County), CA?

The median gross rent in Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) is $1,219 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County)?

The median home value in Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) is $362,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County)?

The median household income in Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) is $96,679 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County), CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County), CA affordable?

Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 108 (100 = US average).

Cottonwood CDP (Shasta County) at a Glance

Population
7,170
Median Income
$96,679
Home Value
$362,800
Median Rent
$1,219/mo
Unemployment
5.7%
Sales Tax
8.7%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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