University of California-Davis, CA
The cost of living in University of California-Davis, CA is right at the national average (Cost Index: 100). Homes here are typically valued around N/A, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $17,625 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.
University of California-Davis already reads as a high-pressure housing market, with 106% rent burden, mixed buy-side affordability, and a housing index of 100. Treat this page as a stress test for rent, mortgage, and tax burden before assuming the move works.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI
Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for University of California-Davis.
Cost of Living Breakdown
Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.
University of California-Davis Mortgage Calculator
Pre-filled with the local median home value of $400,000 and California's property tax rate of 0.71%.
Household Housing Budget
Local median household income helps frame typical housing pressure, rent burden, and how stretched a household budget may feel in this market.
Property Tax in University of California-Davis, CA
California Place Tax Context
Compare University of California-Davis to Another City
Compare housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context to see where a move would tighten or loosen the monthly budget.
Cost of Living Comparison
Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.
Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)
FAQ: Living in University of California-Davis
What is the cost of living like in University of California-Davis, CA?+
Living costs in University of California-Davis land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 100 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is N/A, and typical monthly rents run around $1,560. Groceries and utilities are slightly below what you would find in most US cities.
How does University of California-Davis fit a household housing budget?+
Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,560, while local median household income is $17,625. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 106% before utilities and other costs. Use that as a planning signal for whether the place looks manageable under your own household assumptions.
How much are taxes in University of California-Davis, CA?+
California has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 13.3%. The effective property tax rate is 0.71%. The statewide average property tax rate is 0.71%. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 8.85% on everyday purchases.
How much does it cost to rent in University of California-Davis, CA?+
The typical monthly rent in University of California-Davis is around $1,560. That's about 16% higher than the $1,348 national median.
Are groceries and utilities expensive in University of California-Davis?+
Grocery prices in University of California-Davis are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 88). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.
What is University of California-Davis, CA like to live in?+
University of California-Davis is a small town with a population of about 8,158. The median age of residents is 19.5, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 67.68%, above the national average of 12.4%.
Lower-Pressure Alternatives in California
If University of California-Davis feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.
Higher-Pressure Comparisons in California
Use these city pages when you want to compare University of California-Davis against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.
- Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
- Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
- Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
- Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax inputs used to explain how relocation budgets and housing pressure change from one place to another.
- Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)