Cost of Living in Magalia, CA

Population 7,784 · California · Data vintage 2023

93
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Magalia is a smaller California community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $60,625 and housing costs ($254,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.7% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Magalia sits roughly 12 miles east of Chico. Median home values run roughly 44% lower than Chico's $455,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 83
Rent 108

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

About the Cost of Living in Magalia

The median home value in Magalia is $254,400 — 17% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,413/month, 8% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,625/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.7%, 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, Magalia has a cost of living index of 93 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 7% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$254,400
17% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$268,899
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,413/mo
8% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.0x
Favors buying
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 83.8%
Renter-occupied 16.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,413
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,027/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
37.7 min
40% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.0%
Carpooled
12.4%
Walked
2.5%
Work from home
15.1%

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
$60,625
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$30,786
Unemployment Rate
9.7%
102% above avg
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Labor Force Participation
48.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.0%
Graduate degree 5.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 45.2
Male median age 41.3
Female median age 47.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 50 — Good
52.3%
Good air days/yr
100
Max AQI recorded
158
PM2.5 days
202
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Magalia, CA?

Magalia has a cost index of 93 (100 = national average). It is 7% below the national average.

What is average rent in Magalia, CA?

The median gross rent in Magalia is $1,413 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Magalia?

The median home value in Magalia is $254,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Magalia?

The median household income in Magalia is $60,625 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Magalia, CA?

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

Is Magalia, CA affordable?

Magalia is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 93 (100 = US average).

Magalia at a Glance

Population
7,784
Median Income
$60,625
Home Value
$254,400
Median Rent
$1,413/mo
Unemployment
9.7%
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