Cost of Living in Grover Beach, CA

Population 12,687 · California · Data vintage 2023

195
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Grover Beach's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $692,000 for a typical home, 127% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $82,534 that put it in the upper third of the state.

Geographically, Grover Beach sits roughly 15 miles northwest of Santa Maria. Median home values run roughly 45% higher than Santa Maria's $478,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 227
Rent 146

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

About the Cost of Living in Grover Beach

The median home value in Grover Beach is $691,900 — 127% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,921/month, 46% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,534/year is 11% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.4%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 71.9°F and lows of 47.4°F. Overall, Grover Beach has a cost of living index of 195 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 95% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$691,900
127% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$759,547
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,921/mo
46% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,688/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
30.0x
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 55.4%
Renter-occupied 44.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,921
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,535/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
20.7 min
23% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.6%
Carpooled
7.4%
Public transit
2.3%
Walked
3.1%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
13.3%

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
$82,534
11% above avg
Per Capita Income
$41,607
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
29% below avg
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Labor Force Participation
65.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.3%
Graduate degree 11.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.5
Male median age 40.2
Female median age 42.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
71.9°F
Avg Low
47.4°F
Annual Precip
17.9"
40° 50° 60° 70° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 656567697275787980777165
Low °F 414245464851545553504540
Precip" 3.863.543.171.050.470.100.080.010.040.921.433.27

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 47 — Good
56.7%
Good air days/yr
122
Max AQI recorded
115
PM2.5 days
244
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Grover Beach, CA?

Grover Beach has a cost index of 195 (100 = national average). It is 95% above the national average.

What is average rent in Grover Beach, CA?

The median gross rent in Grover Beach is $1,921 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Grover Beach?

The median home value in Grover Beach is $691,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Grover Beach?

The median household income in Grover Beach is $82,534 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Grover Beach, CA?

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

Is Grover Beach, CA affordable?

Grover Beach is above average in cost of living, with an index of 195 — about 95% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Grover Beach?

Grover Beach has average high temperatures of 71.9°F and average lows of 47.4°F. Annual precipitation is 17.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Grover Beach at a Glance

Population
12,687
Median Income
$82,534
Home Value
$691,900
Median Rent
$1,921/mo
Unemployment
3.4%
Avg High Temp
71.9°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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