Cost of Living in Thermalito, CA

Population 6,645 · California · Data vintage 2023

84
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Thermalito is a smaller California community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $53,814 and housing costs ($257,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 6.8%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Thermalito sits roughly 20 miles southeast of Chico — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 43% lower than Chico's $455,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 84
Rent 84

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

About the Cost of Living in Thermalito

The median home value in Thermalito is $257,400 — 16% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,104/month, 16% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,814/year is 28% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.8%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 75.0°F and lows of 51.3°F. Overall, Thermalito has a cost of living index of 84 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$257,400
16% below avg
Median Rent
$1,104/mo
16% 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 70.0%
Renter-occupied 30.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,104
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,718/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
23.7 min
12% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.3%
Carpooled
13.0%
Work from home
6.8%

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
$53,814
28% below avg
Per Capita Income
$30,480
Unemployment Rate
6.8%
42% above avg
Poverty Rate
17.2%
Labor Force Participation
51.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 8.9%
Graduate degree 1.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.5
Male median age 37.6
Female median age 37.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
75.0°F
Avg Low
51.3°F
Annual Precip
25.7"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 556166728190969489786455
Low °F 404245495561656459524440
Precip" 5.204.793.331.801.050.320.040.040.161.442.874.63

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 50 — Good
52.3%
Good air days/yr
100
Max AQI recorded
158
PM2.5 days
202
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Thermalito, CA?

Thermalito has a cost index of 84 (100 = national average). It is 16% below the national average.

What is average rent in Thermalito, CA?

The median gross rent in Thermalito is $1,104 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Thermalito?

The median home value in Thermalito is $257,400 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Thermalito?

The median household income in Thermalito is $53,814 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Thermalito, CA?

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

Is Thermalito, CA affordable?

Yes, Thermalito is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 84 — about 16% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Thermalito?

Thermalito has average high temperatures of 75.0°F and average lows of 51.3°F. Annual precipitation is 25.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Thermalito at a Glance

Population
6,645
Median Income
$53,814
Home Value
$257,400
Median Rent
$1,104/mo
Unemployment
6.8%
Avg High Temp
75.0°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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