Cost of Living in Tulare, CA

Population 69,984 · California · Data vintage 2023

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

The Tulare cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $301,000, rents near $1,354 a month. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.9% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Tulare sits roughly 9 miles south of Visalia. Median home values run roughly 12% lower than Visalia's $341,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 99
Rent 103

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

About the Cost of Living in Tulare

The median home value in Tulare is $301,200 — 1% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,354/month, 3% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $69,517/year is 7% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.9%, 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 77.9°F and lows of 48.9°F. Overall, Tulare has a cost of living index of 100 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is on par with the national average.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$301,200
1% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$348,907
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,354/mo
3% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,787/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5x
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 58.5%
Renter-occupied 41.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,354
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,968/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
24.3 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
82.9%
Carpooled
10.0%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
0.7%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
5.1%

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
$69,517
7% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,459
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
64% above avg
Poverty Rate
18.0%
Labor Force Participation
61.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 6.8%
Graduate degree 3.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 29.5
Male median age 28.7
Female median age 29.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
77.9°F
Avg Low
48.9°F
Annual Precip
8.1"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 576370768593989792816757
Low °F 373944475460646257494035
Precip" 1.561.441.490.720.350.070.020.000.040.460.621.36

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 69 — Moderate
25.8%
Good air days/yr
242
Max AQI recorded
154
PM2.5 days
206
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Tulare, CA?

Tulare has a cost index of 100 (100 = national average). It is near the national average.

What is average rent in Tulare, CA?

The median gross rent in Tulare is $1,354 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Tulare?

The median home value in Tulare is $301,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Tulare?

The median household income in Tulare is $69,517 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Tulare, CA?

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

Is Tulare, CA affordable?

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

What is the weather like in Tulare?

Tulare has average high temperatures of 77.9°F and average lows of 48.9°F. Annual precipitation is 8.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Tulare at a Glance

Population
69,984
Median Income
$69,517
Home Value
$301,200
Median Rent
$1,354/mo
Unemployment
7.9%
Avg High Temp
77.9°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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