Cost of Living in Ukiah, CA

Population 16,419 · California · Data vintage 2023

129
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Ukiah is a smaller California community of around 16000 residents, where median household incomes of $67,122 and housing costs ($448,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 8.3%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Ukiah is about 55 miles northwest of Santa Rosa, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 35% lower than Santa Rosa's $685,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 147
Rent 101

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

About the Cost of Living in Ukiah

The median home value in Ukiah is $448,100 — 47% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,330/month, 1% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $67,122/year is 10% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.3%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 74.4°F and lows of 45.2°F. Overall, Ukiah has a cost of living index of 129 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$448,100
47% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$479,525
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,330/mo
1% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,197/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.1x
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 45.8%
Renter-occupied 54.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,330
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,944/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
19.8 min
27% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.6%
Carpooled
9.7%
Public transit
1.2%
Walked
8.7%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
9.0%

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
$67,122
10% below avg
Per Capita Income
$36,541
Unemployment Rate
8.3%
73% above avg
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Labor Force Participation
61.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.9%
Graduate degree 11.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.3
Male median age 37.2
Female median age 40.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
74.4°F
Avg Low
45.2°F
Annual Precip
34.8"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 586165697886949489796557
Low °F 373941434852565551454036
Precip" 6.706.275.322.551.180.340.010.070.161.783.546.92

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 53 — Moderate
39.5%
Good air days/yr
140
Max AQI recorded
336
PM2.5 days
29
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ukiah, CA?

Ukiah has a cost index of 129 (100 = national average). It is 29% above the national average.

What is average rent in Ukiah, CA?

The median gross rent in Ukiah is $1,330 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ukiah?

The median home value in Ukiah is $448,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Ukiah?

The median household income in Ukiah is $67,122 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ukiah, CA?

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

Is Ukiah, CA affordable?

Ukiah is above average in cost of living, with an index of 129 — about 29% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Ukiah?

Ukiah has average high temperatures of 74.4°F and average lows of 45.2°F. Annual precipitation is 34.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Ukiah at a Glance

Population
16,419
Median Income
$67,122
Home Value
$448,100
Median Rent
$1,330/mo
Unemployment
8.3%
Avg High Temp
74.4°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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