Cost of Living in Lake Nacimiento, CA

Population 3,464 · California · Data vintage 2023

154
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Lake Nacimiento a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $476,000.

Geographically, Lake Nacimiento is about 60 miles northwest of Santa Maria, the nearest large metro. Housing prices track closely with Santa Maria's $478,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 156
Rent 150

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

About the Cost of Living in Lake Nacimiento

The median home value in Lake Nacimiento is $475,700 — 56% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,971/month, 50% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $85,000/year is 14% higher 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%. The climate averages highs of 76.8°F and lows of 43.2°F. Overall, Lake Nacimiento has a cost of living index of 154 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 54% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$475,700
56% above avg
Median Rent
$1,971/mo
50% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1x
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 83.4%
Renter-occupied 16.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,971
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,585/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
42.8 min
59% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.9%
Carpooled
5.2%
Public transit
1.6%
Work from home
16.2%

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
$85,000
14% above avg
Per Capita Income
$45,725
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
17% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Labor Force Participation
63.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.6%
Graduate degree 8.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.4
Male median age 39.9
Female median age 39.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
76.8°F
Avg Low
43.2°F
Annual Precip
12.2"
Annual Snowfall
0"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 616368748189939490816960
Low °F 353740414650545350443733
Precip" 2.742.482.420.600.310.040.080.010.060.560.871.98

💨 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 Lake Nacimiento, CA?

Lake Nacimiento has a cost index of 154 (100 = national average). It is 54% above the national average.

What is average rent in Lake Nacimiento, CA?

The median gross rent in Lake Nacimiento is $1,971 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lake Nacimiento?

The median home value in Lake Nacimiento is $475,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Lake Nacimiento?

The median household income in Lake Nacimiento is $85,000 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lake Nacimiento, CA?

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

Is Lake Nacimiento, CA affordable?

Lake Nacimiento is above average in cost of living, with an index of 154 — about 54% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Lake Nacimiento?

Lake Nacimiento has average high temperatures of 76.8°F and average lows of 43.2°F. Annual precipitation is 12.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lake Nacimiento at a Glance

Population
3,464
Median Income
$85,000
Home Value
$475,700
Median Rent
$1,971/mo
Unemployment
4.0%
Avg High Temp
76.8°F
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