Cost of Living in Davis, CA
Population 66,801 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Home prices in Davis run well above the national baseline, with a median of $829,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $87,421 place the city among the better-paid California metros. A poverty rate near 25% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Geographically, Davis sits roughly 15 miles west of Sacramento. Median home values run roughly 71% higher than Sacramento's $485,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Davis
The median home value in Davis is $829,000 — 172% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,043/month, 55% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $87,421/year is 17% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.6%, 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, Davis has a cost of living index of 225 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 125% 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 Davis, CA?
Davis has a cost index of 225 (100 = national average). It is 125% above the national average.
What is average rent in Davis, CA?
The median gross rent in Davis is $2,043 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Davis?
The median home value in Davis is $829,000 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Davis?
The median household income in Davis is $87,421 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Davis, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Davis is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Davis, CA affordable?
Davis is above average in cost of living, with an index of 225 — about 125% higher than the national average.
Davis at a Glance
- Population
- 66,801
- Median Income
- $87,421
- Home Value
- $829,000
- Median Rent
- $2,043/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.6%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
California Rankings
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