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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.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Cost Index
100
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
N/A
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,560/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$17,625
National: $78,538
Population
8,158
Purchasing Power
22
100 = national baseline

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.

Housing Cost Index
100 / 100
Close to average
Rent Index
116 / 100
16% above average
Goods & Groceries
96 / 100
About the same as most US cities
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Utilities
88 / 100
12% lower utility bills
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Healthcare & Services
98 / 100
In line with national average
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Overall Index
100
Average

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%.

Salary & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $17,625 78% below the national average.

What $17,625 in University of California-Davis Gets You Elsewhere

CityEquivalent SalaryDifference
New York, NY$33,664+91%
Los Angeles, CA$34,721+97%
Houston, TX$16,920-4%
Philadelphia, PA$17,096-3%

Property Tax in University of California-Davis, CA

Est. Annual Property Tax
N/A
Monthly Impact
N/A
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.71%
National avg: ~1.00%

Income Tax Drag (Personal Projection)

$
Default set to 2023 National Median ($74,580)

At a gross income of $74,580, the localized California marginal tax brackets exact an effective state penalty of 4.1%. This results in an absolute "tax drag" drain of $3,090/year compared to states with no income tax.

California Macro Tax Overview

Tax TypeCaliforniaNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.71%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate13.3%~5.0%
State Sales Tax8.85%~5.0%

Compare University of California-Davis to Another City

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Cost of Living Comparison

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University of California-Davis, CA
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
University of California-Davis, CA: 100
Rent Prices
116

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.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in University of California-Davis?+

A good rule of thumb: if you would need $75,000 in an average US city, you would need roughly $75,000 in University of California-Davis for the same standard of living. The local median household income is $17,625, which means many families may feel stretched by local costs.

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%.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • 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).
  • Taxation & Payroll: Dynamic zero-latency evaluation utilizing the latest progressive 2024 IRS Federal marginal brackets, structural FICA limits, and specific 50-state local tax tables.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly