Cost of Living in Mount Shasta, CA

Population 3,208 · California · Data vintage 2023

101
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $48,157, median household incomes in Mount Shasta land roughly 35% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. Rental affordability is stretched — $1,477/month works out to about 37% of median household income, above the 30% "cost-burdened" line.

Mount Shasta lies roughly 110 miles north of the nearest major metro, Chico — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 38% lower than Chico's $455,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 93
Rent 112

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

About the Cost of Living in Mount Shasta

The median home value in Mount Shasta is $283,100 — 7% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,477/month, 12% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,157/year is 35% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.0%, 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 62.8°F and lows of 37.9°F. Overall, Mount Shasta has a cost of living index of 101 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 1% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$283,100
7% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$214,919
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,477/mo
12% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.0x
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 48.3%
Renter-occupied 51.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,477
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,091/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
21.1 min
22% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.2%
Carpooled
6.4%
Walked
9.0%
Work from home
11.2%

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
$48,157
35% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,291
Unemployment Rate
0.0%
100% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.0%
Labor Force Participation
48.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.3%
Graduate degree 5.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 53.1
Male median age 53.4
Female median age 51.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
62.8°F
Avg Low
37.9°F
Annual Precip
37.6"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 444753596976858578655142
Low °F 292932354147525045383128
Precip" 6.296.415.602.872.101.120.280.200.512.003.636.61

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
74%
Good air days/yr
320
Max AQI recorded
158
PM2.5 days
207
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mount Shasta, CA?

Mount Shasta has a cost index of 101 (100 = national average). It is 1% above the national average.

What is average rent in Mount Shasta, CA?

The median gross rent in Mount Shasta is $1,477 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mount Shasta?

The median home value in Mount Shasta is $283,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mount Shasta?

The median household income in Mount Shasta is $48,157 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mount Shasta, CA?

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

Is Mount Shasta, CA affordable?

Mount Shasta is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 101 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Mount Shasta?

Mount Shasta has average high temperatures of 62.8°F and average lows of 37.9°F. Annual precipitation is 37.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Mount Shasta at a Glance

Population
3,208
Median Income
$48,157
Home Value
$283,100
Median Rent
$1,477/mo
Unemployment
0.0%
Avg High Temp
62.8°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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