Cost of Living in Grass Valley, CA
Population 14,126 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Grass Valley sits on the smaller end of the California city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. A poverty rate near 21% 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.
Grass Valley is about 35 miles northeast of Roseville, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 27% lower than Roseville's $631,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Grass Valley
The median home value in Grass Valley is $458,400 — 50% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,417/month, 8% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,850/year is 34% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, below 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, Grass Valley has a cost of living index of 133 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% 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 Grass Valley, CA?
Grass Valley has a cost index of 133 (100 = national average). It is 33% above the national average.
What is average rent in Grass Valley, CA?
The median gross rent in Grass Valley is $1,417 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Grass Valley?
The median home value in Grass Valley is $458,400 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Grass Valley?
The median household income in Grass Valley is $48,850 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Grass Valley, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Grass Valley is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Grass Valley, CA affordable?
Grass Valley is above average in cost of living, with an index of 133 — about 33% higher than the national average.
Grass Valley at a Glance
- Population
- 14,126
- Median Income
- $48,850
- Home Value
- $458,400
- Median Rent
- $1,417/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.0%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
California Rankings
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