Cost of Living in Guadalupe, CA

Population 8,422 · California · Data vintage 2023

140
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Guadalupe is a smaller California community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $71,048 and housing costs ($452,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. A poverty rate near 28% 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.

Located 8 miles west of Santa Maria, Guadalupe falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Santa Maria's $478,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 148
Rent 127

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

About the Cost of Living in Guadalupe

The median home value in Guadalupe is $452,100 — 48% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,674/month, 27% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,048/year is 5% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 11.9%, 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 69.6°F and lows of 47.6°F. Overall, Guadalupe has a cost of living index of 140 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 40% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$452,100
48% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$509,142
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,674/mo
27% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.5x
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 56.5%
Renter-occupied 43.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,674
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,288/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
26.6 min
1% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.3%
Carpooled
15.6%
Public transit
1.5%
Walked
1.6%
Work from home
2.7%

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
$71,048
5% below avg
Per Capita Income
$22,110
Unemployment Rate
11.9%
147% above avg
Poverty Rate
28.3%
Labor Force Participation
66.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 6.9%
Graduate degree 4.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 28.4
Male median age 29.5
Female median age 25

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
69.6°F
Avg Low
47.6°F
Annual Precip
13.3"
40° 50° 60° 70° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 656566686971737475757064
Low °F 414344454952555554504440
Precip" 2.742.852.560.930.360.060.030.010.070.541.122.05

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 45 — Good
63.6%
Good air days/yr
95
Max AQI recorded
186
PM2.5 days
170
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Guadalupe, CA?

Guadalupe has a cost index of 140 (100 = national average). It is 40% above the national average.

What is average rent in Guadalupe, CA?

The median gross rent in Guadalupe is $1,674 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Guadalupe?

The median home value in Guadalupe is $452,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Guadalupe?

The median household income in Guadalupe is $71,048 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Guadalupe, CA?

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

Is Guadalupe, CA affordable?

Guadalupe is above average in cost of living, with an index of 140 — about 40% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Guadalupe?

Guadalupe has average high temperatures of 69.6°F and average lows of 47.6°F. Annual precipitation is 13.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Guadalupe at a Glance

Population
8,422
Median Income
$71,048
Home Value
$452,100
Median Rent
$1,674/mo
Unemployment
11.9%
Avg High Temp
69.6°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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