Cost of Living in Golden Hills, CA

Population 10,445 · California · Data vintage 2023

112
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Golden Hills is a smaller California community of around 10000 residents, where median household incomes of $94,654 and housing costs ($376,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 7.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Golden Hills is about 35 miles east of Bakersfield, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 8% higher than Bakersfield's $347,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 123
Rent 95

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

About the Cost of Living in Golden Hills

The median home value in Golden Hills is $376,300 — 23% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,248/month, 5% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $94,654/year is 27% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.2%, 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, Golden Hills has a cost of living index of 112 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 12% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$376,300
23% above avg
Median Rent
$1,248/mo
5% below 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 78.8%
Renter-occupied 21.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,248
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,862/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
36.6 min
36% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.5%
Carpooled
10.3%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
10.2%

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
$94,654
27% above avg
Per Capita Income
$43,710
Unemployment Rate
7.2%
49% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.0%
Labor Force Participation
62.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.5%
Graduate degree 7.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.3
Male median age 34.9
Female median age 38.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 69 — Moderate
23.3%
Good air days/yr
174
Max AQI recorded
135
PM2.5 days
217
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Golden Hills, CA?

Golden Hills has a cost index of 112 (100 = national average). It is 12% above the national average.

What is average rent in Golden Hills, CA?

The median gross rent in Golden Hills is $1,248 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Golden Hills?

The median home value in Golden Hills is $376,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Golden Hills?

The median household income in Golden Hills is $94,654 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Golden Hills, CA?

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

Is Golden Hills, CA affordable?

Golden Hills is above average in cost of living, with an index of 112 — about 12% higher than the national average.

Golden Hills at a Glance

Population
10,445
Median Income
$94,654
Home Value
$376,300
Median Rent
$1,248/mo
Unemployment
7.2%
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