Cost of Living in Sage, CA

Population 3,474 · California · Data vintage 2023

137
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Sage is a smaller California community of around 3000 residents, where median household incomes of $88,879 and housing costs ($517,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 11.4%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Sage sits roughly 15 miles northeast of Temecula. Median home values run roughly 19% lower than Temecula's $640,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 169
Rent 89

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

About the Cost of Living in Sage

The median home value in Sage is $516,700 — 69% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,172/month, 11% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $88,879/year is 19% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 11.4%, 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, Sage has a cost of living index of 137 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 37% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$516,700
69% above avg
Median Rent
$1,172/mo
11% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
36.7x
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 86.2%
Renter-occupied 13.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,172
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,786/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
50.2 min
86% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.5%
Carpooled
12.4%
Bicycle
3.6%
Work from home
8.9%

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
$88,879
19% above avg
Per Capita Income
$34,915
Unemployment Rate
11.4%
137% above avg
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Labor Force Participation
51.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.1%
Graduate degree 8.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.4
Male median age 35.7
Female median age 46.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 79 — Moderate
17%
Good air days/yr
660
Max AQI recorded
98
PM2.5 days
207
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sage, CA?

Sage has a cost index of 137 (100 = national average). It is 37% above the national average.

What is average rent in Sage, CA?

The median gross rent in Sage is $1,172 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sage?

The median home value in Sage is $516,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Sage?

The median household income in Sage is $88,879 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sage, CA?

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

Is Sage, CA affordable?

Sage is above average in cost of living, with an index of 137 — about 37% higher than the national average.

Sage at a Glance

Population
3,474
Median Income
$88,879
Home Value
$516,700
Median Rent
$1,172/mo
Unemployment
11.4%
Sales Tax
8.7%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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