Cost of Living in San Joaquin, CA

Population 3,734 · California · Data vintage 2023

82
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

San Joaquin 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. A poverty rate near 36% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Geographically, San Joaquin is about 25 miles southwest of Fresno, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 28% lower than Fresno's $349,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 82
Rent 81

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

About the Cost of Living in San Joaquin

The median home value in San Joaquin is $249,700 — 18% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,070/month, 19% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,591/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 17.4%, 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, San Joaquin has a cost of living index of 82 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$249,700
18% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$435,753
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,070/mo
19% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4x
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 33.3%
Renter-occupied 66.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,070
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,684/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
27.5 min
2% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.7%
Carpooled
11.6%
Walked
1.3%
Work from home
9.2%

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
$51,591
31% below avg
Per Capita Income
$13,350
Unemployment Rate
17.4%
262% above avg
Poverty Rate
35.8%
Labor Force Participation
47.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 2.5%
0

👥 Demographics

Median Age 24.9
Male median age 25.6
Female median age 24

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 64 — Moderate
26.6%
Good air days/yr
156
Max AQI recorded
147
PM2.5 days
208
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in San Joaquin, CA?

San Joaquin has a cost index of 82 (100 = national average). It is 18% below the national average.

What is average rent in San Joaquin, CA?

The median gross rent in San Joaquin is $1,070 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in San Joaquin?

The median home value in San Joaquin is $249,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in San Joaquin?

The median household income in San Joaquin is $51,591 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in San Joaquin, CA?

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

Is San Joaquin, CA affordable?

Yes, San Joaquin is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 82 — about 18% below the US national average of 100.

San Joaquin at a Glance

Population
3,734
Median Income
$51,591
Home Value
$249,700
Median Rent
$1,070/mo
Unemployment
17.4%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in California →
🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

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