Cost of Living in Cayucos, CA

With a cost of living index of 164, Cayucos, CA is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 64% more expensive than the national average and 20% above the California state average of 144. Cayucos is a small community of 2,517 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Cayucos's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,551 (18% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $947,000 (211% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 11.4x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Cayucos is $82,778, which is 10% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 22% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

Everyday prices in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, 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.