Cost of Living in Soledad, CA

Population 24,476 · California · Data vintage 2023

161
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Soledad run well above the national baseline, with a median of $572,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $93,204 place the city among the better-paid California metros.

Geographically, Soledad is about 25 miles southeast of Salinas, the nearest large metro. Housing prices track closely with Salinas' $611,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 187
Rent 122

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

About the Cost of Living in Soledad

The median home value in Soledad is $571,600 — 87% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,604/month, 22% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $93,204/year is 25% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, 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, Soledad has a cost of living index of 161 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 61% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$571,600
87% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$621,907
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,604/mo
22% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.7x
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 61.1%
Renter-occupied 38.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,604
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,218/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
31.4 min
16% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.1%
Carpooled
12.0%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
0.3%
Work from home
2.3%

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
$93,204
25% above avg
Per Capita Income
$21,221
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
37% below avg
Poverty Rate
15.8%
Labor Force Participation
40.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 4.3%
Graduate degree 2.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.1
Male median age 39.1
Female median age 32

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
75.1%
Good air days/yr
115
Max AQI recorded
212
PM2.5 days
146
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Soledad, CA?

Soledad has a cost index of 161 (100 = national average). It is 61% above the national average.

What is average rent in Soledad, CA?

The median gross rent in Soledad is $1,604 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Soledad?

The median home value in Soledad is $571,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Soledad?

The median household income in Soledad is $93,204 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Soledad, CA?

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

Is Soledad, CA affordable?

Soledad is above average in cost of living, with an index of 161 — about 61% higher than the national average.