Cost of Living in Los Gatos, CA
Population 32,773 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Los Gatos's housing market is in a category of its own — median home values around $2 million sit roughly 7 times the US figure, reflecting a market driven as much by second-home and resort buyers as by year-round residents.
Los Gatos sits roughly 9 miles southwest of San Jose — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 68% higher than San Jose's $1.2 million.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Los Gatos
The median home value in Los Gatos is $2,000,001 — 556% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,969/month, 126% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $207,891/year is 179% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, 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, Los Gatos has a cost of living index of 484 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 384% 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 Los Gatos, CA?
Los Gatos has a cost index of 484 (100 = national average). It is 384% above the national average.
What is average rent in Los Gatos, CA?
The median gross rent in Los Gatos is $2,969 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Los Gatos?
The median home value in Los Gatos is $2,000,001 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Los Gatos?
The median household income in Los Gatos is $207,891 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Los Gatos, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Los Gatos is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Los Gatos, CA affordable?
Los Gatos is above average in cost of living, with an index of 484 — about 384% higher than the national average.
Los Gatos at a Glance
- Population
- 32,773
- Median Income
- $207,891
- Home Value
- $2,000,001
- Median Rent
- $2,969/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.3%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data