Cost of Living in Happy Valley, CA
Population 6,046 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Happy Valley a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $294,000. At 10.9%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.
Located 60 miles northwest of Chico, Happy Valley is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 35% lower than Chico's $455,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Happy Valley
The median home value in Happy Valley is $293,800 — 4% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,766/month, 34% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $80,578/year is 8% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.9%, 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%. Overall, Happy Valley has a cost of living index of 112 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 12% more expensive.
Happy Valley is within a protected area
This area is within or adjacent to protected federal land. Residential housing is concentrated in nearby towns — here are the closest communities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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 Happy Valley, CA?
Happy Valley has a cost index of 112 (100 = national average). It is 12% above the national average.
What is average rent in Happy Valley, CA?
The median gross rent in Happy Valley is $1,766 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Happy Valley?
The median home value in Happy Valley is $293,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Happy Valley?
The median household income in Happy Valley is $80,578 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Happy Valley, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Happy Valley is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Happy Valley, CA affordable?
Happy Valley is above average in cost of living, with an index of 112 — about 12% higher than the national average.
Happy Valley at a Glance
- Population
- 6,046
- Median Income
- $80,578
- Home Value
- $293,800
- Median Rent
- $1,766/mo
- Unemployment
- 10.9%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
California Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs