Cost of Living in Eureka, CA

Population 26,302 · California · Data vintage 2023

109
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Eureka lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $376,000 — 23% above the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in California. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.7% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Eureka lies roughly 145 miles northwest of the nearest major metro, Chico. Median home values run roughly 17% lower than Chico's $455,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 123
Rent 88

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

About the Cost of Living in Eureka

The median home value in Eureka is $375,800 — 23% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,157/month, 12% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,253/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.7%, 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 59.2°F and lows of 46.0°F. Overall, Eureka has a cost of living index of 109 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 9% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$375,800
23% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$410,563
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,157/mo
12% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,434/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.1x
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 48.0%
Renter-occupied 52.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,157
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,771/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
17.9 min
34% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
67.0%
Carpooled
14.1%
Public transit
1.2%
Walked
5.5%
Bicycle
1.2%
Work from home
10.0%

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
$60,253
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,226
Unemployment Rate
7.7%
60% above avg
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Labor Force Participation
62.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.6%
Graduate degree 10.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.9
Male median age 39.1
Female median age 38.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.2°F
Avg Low
46.0°F
Annual Precip
40.4"
Annual Snowfall
0"
40° 48° 55° 63° 70° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 555556576062636464625855
Low °F 414142444850525351474340
Precip" 6.675.645.753.641.660.700.180.180.682.314.898.10

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 32 — Good
77.8%
Good air days/yr
299
Max AQI recorded
153
PM2.5 days
190
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Eureka, CA?

Eureka has a cost index of 109 (100 = national average). It is 9% above the national average.

What is average rent in Eureka, CA?

The median gross rent in Eureka is $1,157 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Eureka?

The median home value in Eureka is $375,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Eureka?

The median household income in Eureka is $60,253 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Eureka, CA?

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

Is Eureka, CA affordable?

Eureka is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 109 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Eureka?

Eureka has average high temperatures of 59.2°F and average lows of 46.0°F. Annual precipitation is 40.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Eureka at a Glance

Population
26,302
Median Income
$60,253
Home Value
$375,800
Median Rent
$1,157/mo
Unemployment
7.7%
Avg High Temp
59.2°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