Cost of Living in Sonora, CA
Population 4,965 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Sonora is a smaller California community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $62,621 and housing costs ($379,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 11.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.
Sonora is about 40 miles northeast of Modesto, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 9% lower than Modesto's $416,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Sonora
The median home value in Sonora is $379,300 — 24% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,164/month, 11% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $62,621/year is 16% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 11.2%, 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, Sonora has a cost of living index of 110 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% more expensive.
Sonora has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Sonora, CA?
Sonora has a cost index of 110 (100 = national average). It is 10% above the national average.
What is average rent in Sonora, CA?
The median gross rent in Sonora is $1,164 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Sonora?
The median home value in Sonora is $379,300 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Sonora?
The median household income in Sonora is $62,621 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Sonora, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Sonora is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Sonora, CA affordable?
Sonora is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 110 (100 = US average).
Sonora at a Glance
- Population
- 4,965
- Median Income
- $62,621
- Home Value
- $379,300
- Median Rent
- $1,164/mo
- Unemployment
- 11.2%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
California Rankings
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