Cost of Living in Vallejo, CA

Population 124,637 · California · Data vintage 2023

171
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Vallejo run well above the national baseline, with a median of $558,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $89,496 place the city among the better-paid California metros. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.7% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Cost Overview

Housing 183
Rent 153

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

About the Cost of Living in Vallejo

The median home value in Vallejo is $557,500 — 83% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,013/month, 53% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $89,496/year is 20% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.7%, 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 69.9°F and lows of 45.6°F. Overall, Vallejo has a cost of living index of 171 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 71% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$557,500
83% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$518,726
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,013/mo
53% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,136/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.1x
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 58.9%
Renter-occupied 41.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,013
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,627/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
39.1 min
45% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.5%
Carpooled
12.6%
Public transit
3.7%
Walked
1.2%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
10.0%

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
$89,496
20% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,845
Unemployment Rate
6.7%
40% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.0%
Labor Force Participation
63.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.7%
Graduate degree 8.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40
Male median age 38.2
Female median age 42

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
69.9°F
Avg Low
45.6°F
Annual Precip
20.2"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 576164687378798080756557
Low °F 384042444852555451464038
Precip" 4.173.953.011.260.800.220.010.020.070.931.973.82

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
73.7%
Good air days/yr
105
Max AQI recorded
122
PM2.5 days
242
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Vallejo, CA?

Vallejo has a cost index of 171 (100 = national average). It is 71% above the national average.

What is average rent in Vallejo, CA?

The median gross rent in Vallejo is $2,013 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Vallejo?

The median home value in Vallejo is $557,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Vallejo?

The median household income in Vallejo is $89,496 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Vallejo, CA?

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

Is Vallejo, CA affordable?

Vallejo is above average in cost of living, with an index of 171 — about 71% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Vallejo?

Vallejo has average high temperatures of 69.9°F and average lows of 45.6°F. Annual precipitation is 20.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Vallejo at a Glance

Population
124,637
Median Income
$89,496
Home Value
$557,500
Median Rent
$2,013/mo
Unemployment
6.7%
Avg High Temp
69.9°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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