Cost of Living in Ripon, CA
Population 16,117 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Home prices in Ripon run well above the national baseline, with a median of $666,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $120,061 place the city among the better-paid California metros. An unemployment rate of 2.9% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Geographically, Ripon sits roughly 10 miles northwest of Modesto. Median home values run roughly 60% higher than Modesto's $416,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Ripon
The median home value in Ripon is $666,400 — 118% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,799/month, 37% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $120,061/year is 61% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.9%, 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, Ripon has a cost of living index of 186 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 86% 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 Ripon, CA?
Ripon has a cost index of 186 (100 = national average). It is 86% above the national average.
What is average rent in Ripon, CA?
The median gross rent in Ripon is $1,799 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Ripon?
The median home value in Ripon is $666,400 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Ripon?
The median household income in Ripon is $120,061 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Ripon, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ripon is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Ripon, CA affordable?
Ripon is above average in cost of living, with an index of 186 — about 86% higher than the national average.
Ripon at a Glance
- Population
- 16,117
- Median Income
- $120,061
- Home Value
- $666,400
- Median Rent
- $1,799/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.9%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
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California Rankings
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