Cost of Living in Salida, CA

Population 14,457 · California · Data vintage 2023

149
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Salida sits on the smaller end of the California city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.0% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Salida sits roughly 7 miles northwest of Modesto. Median home values run roughly 8% higher than Modesto's $416,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 147
Rent 153

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

About the Cost of Living in Salida

The median home value in Salida is $448,700 — 47% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,004/month, 53% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $91,990/year is 23% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.0%, 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, Salida has a cost of living index of 149 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$448,700
47% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$486,890
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,004/mo
53% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7x
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 79.7%
Renter-occupied 20.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,004
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,618/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
31.6 min
17% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
84.8%
Carpooled
9.6%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
0.3%
Work from home
4.2%

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
$91,990
23% above avg
Per Capita Income
$37,031
Unemployment Rate
8.0%
66% above avg
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Labor Force Participation
68.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.6%
Graduate degree 2.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.9
Male median age 35.7
Female median age 31.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 54 — Moderate
45.5%
Good air days/yr
150
Max AQI recorded
161
PM2.5 days
199
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Salida, CA?

Salida has a cost index of 149 (100 = national average). It is 49% above the national average.

What is average rent in Salida, CA?

The median gross rent in Salida is $2,004 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Salida?

The median home value in Salida is $448,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Salida?

The median household income in Salida is $91,990 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Salida, CA?

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

Is Salida, CA affordable?

Salida is above average in cost of living, with an index of 149 — about 49% higher than the national average.

Salida at a Glance

Population
14,457
Median Income
$91,990
Home Value
$448,700
Median Rent
$2,004/mo
Unemployment
8.0%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in California →
🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

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