Cost of Living in Shasta Lake, CA

Population 10,334 · California · Data vintage 2023

92
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Shasta Lake 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 — 7.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Shasta Lake is about 70 miles northwest of Chico, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 40% lower than Chico's $455,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 90
Rent 96

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

About the Cost of Living in Shasta Lake

The median home value in Shasta Lake is $273,000 — 10% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,264/month, 4% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $61,319/year is 18% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.3%, 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, Shasta Lake has a cost of living index of 92 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$273,000
10% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$293,284
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,264/mo
4% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.0x
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 62.3%
Renter-occupied 37.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,264
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,878/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
20.2 min
25% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.2%
Carpooled
10.3%
Public transit
1.7%
Walked
1.4%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
3.8%

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
$61,319
18% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,281
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
51% above avg
Poverty Rate
16.1%
Labor Force Participation
55.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.7%
Graduate degree 3.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.4
Male median age 37.2
Female median age 41.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 45 — Good
67.7%
Good air days/yr
1435
Max AQI recorded
93
PM2.5 days
272
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Shasta Lake, CA?

Shasta Lake has a cost index of 92 (100 = national average). It is 8% below the national average.

What is average rent in Shasta Lake, CA?

The median gross rent in Shasta Lake is $1,264 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Shasta Lake?

The median home value in Shasta Lake is $273,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Shasta Lake?

The median household income in Shasta Lake is $61,319 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Shasta Lake, CA?

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

Is Shasta Lake, CA affordable?

Shasta Lake is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 92 (100 = US average).

Shasta Lake at a Glance

Population
10,334
Median Income
$61,319
Home Value
$273,000
Median Rent
$1,264/mo
Unemployment
7.3%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in California →
🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

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