Cost of Living in El Rio, CA

Population 6,343 · California · Data vintage 2023

190
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

El Rio's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $640,000 for a typical home, 110% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $83,233 that put it in the upper third of the state. Around 22% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located <5 miles northeast of Oxnard, El Rio falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Oxnard's $618,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 210
Rent 161

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

About the Cost of Living in El Rio

The median home value in El Rio is $639,600 — 110% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,122/month, 61% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $83,233/year is 12% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.7%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 69.2°F and lows of 53.3°F. Overall, El Rio has a cost of living index of 190 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 90% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$639,600
110% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$242,139
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,122/mo
61% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.1x
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 57.0%
Renter-occupied 43.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,122
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,736/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
25.7 min
5% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.3%
Carpooled
9.8%
Work from home
8.8%

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
$83,233
12% above avg
Per Capita Income
$30,101
Unemployment Rate
10.7%
122% above avg
Poverty Rate
22.0%
Labor Force Participation
65.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 7.0%
Graduate degree 3.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.7
Male median age 40
Female median age 38.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
69.2°F
Avg Low
53.3°F
Annual Precip
12.9"
40° 50° 60° 70° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 666566676870737474747066
Low °F 464849515458616160555047
Precip" 2.923.262.300.690.340.060.020.010.080.460.712.08

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
60.3%
Good air days/yr
136
Max AQI recorded
121
PM2.5 days
239
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in El Rio, CA?

El Rio has a cost index of 190 (100 = national average). It is 90% above the national average.

What is average rent in El Rio, CA?

The median gross rent in El Rio is $2,122 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in El Rio?

The median home value in El Rio is $639,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in El Rio?

The median household income in El Rio is $83,233 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in El Rio, CA?

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

Is El Rio, CA affordable?

El Rio is above average in cost of living, with an index of 190 — about 90% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in El Rio?

El Rio has average high temperatures of 69.2°F and average lows of 53.3°F. Annual precipitation is 12.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

El Rio at a Glance

Population
6,343
Median Income
$83,233
Home Value
$639,600
Median Rent
$2,122/mo
Unemployment
10.7%
Avg High Temp
69.2°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in California →
🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs