Cost of Living in Castella, CA

With a cost of living index of 90, Castella, CA is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 10% cheaper than the national average and 54% below the California state average of 144. Castella is a small community of 287 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Castella's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $810 (39% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $354,300 (16% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 5.4x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in Castella is $65,556, which is 13% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 15% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Everyday prices in the Redding, CA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.