Cost of Living in Dos Palos, CA

Population 5,757 · California · Data vintage 2023

92
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Dos Palos is a smaller California community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $50,556 and housing costs ($285,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 14.1%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 50 miles west of Fresno, Dos Palos falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 18% lower than Fresno's $349,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 94
Rent 90

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

About the Cost of Living in Dos Palos

The median home value in Dos Palos is $285,300 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,182/month, 10% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,556/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 14.1%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 76.4°F and lows of 48.2°F. Overall, Dos Palos has a cost of living index of 92 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$285,300
6% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$356,394
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,182/mo
10% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1x
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 56.2%
Renter-occupied 43.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,182
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,796/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
29.8 min
10% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.6%
Carpooled
8.5%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
4.7%
Work from home
8.4%

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
$50,556
32% below avg
Per Capita Income
$23,385
Unemployment Rate
14.1%
192% above avg
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Labor Force Participation
43.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.6%
Graduate degree 1.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.5
Male median age 46.7
Female median age 35.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
76.4°F
Avg Low
48.2°F
Annual Precip
11.8"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 566268748391969591806656
Low °F 373942455258626157494136
Precip" 2.372.201.821.120.550.120.000.000.050.641.021.91

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
46.8%
Good air days/yr
129
Max AQI recorded
131
PM2.5 days
220
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Dos Palos, CA?

Dos Palos has a cost index of 92 (100 = national average). It is 8% below the national average.

What is average rent in Dos Palos, CA?

The median gross rent in Dos Palos is $1,182 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Dos Palos?

The median home value in Dos Palos is $285,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Dos Palos?

The median household income in Dos Palos is $50,556 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Dos Palos, CA?

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

Is Dos Palos, CA affordable?

Dos Palos is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 92 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Dos Palos?

Dos Palos has average high temperatures of 76.4°F and average lows of 48.2°F. Annual precipitation is 11.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Dos Palos at a Glance

Population
5,757
Median Income
$50,556
Home Value
$285,300
Median Rent
$1,182/mo
Unemployment
14.1%
Avg High Temp
76.4°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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