Cost of Living in Sebastopol, CA

Population 7,466 · California · Data vintage 2023

215
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Sebastopol run well above the national baseline, with a median of $821,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $99,600 place the city among the better-paid California metros.

Geographically, Sebastopol sits roughly 7 miles west of Santa Rosa. Median home values run roughly 20% higher than Santa Rosa's $685,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 269
Rent 134

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

About the Cost of Living in Sebastopol

The median home value in Sebastopol is $821,400 — 169% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,767/month, 34% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $99,600/year is 34% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, 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, Sebastopol has a cost of living index of 215 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 115% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$821,400
169% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$1,053,924
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,767/mo
34% above avg
Zillow Rent
$3,492/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
38.7x
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 55.4%
Renter-occupied 44.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,767
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,381/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
25.7 min
5% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
22.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.0%
Carpooled
3.1%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
5.6%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
22.7%

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
$99,600
34% above avg
Per Capita Income
$52,441
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
1% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Labor Force Participation
60.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.6%
Graduate degree 22.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 48.4
Male median age 43.4
Female median age 50.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 33 — Good
88.5%
Good air days/yr
117
Max AQI recorded
127
PM2.5 days
236
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sebastopol, CA?

Sebastopol has a cost index of 215 (100 = national average). It is 115% above the national average.

What is average rent in Sebastopol, CA?

The median gross rent in Sebastopol is $1,767 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sebastopol?

The median home value in Sebastopol is $821,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sebastopol?

The median household income in Sebastopol is $99,600 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sebastopol, CA?

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

Is Sebastopol, CA affordable?

Sebastopol is above average in cost of living, with an index of 215 — about 115% higher than the national average.

Sebastopol at a Glance

Population
7,466
Median Income
$99,600
Home Value
$821,400
Median Rent
$1,767/mo
Unemployment
4.8%
Sales Tax
8.7%
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🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

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