Cost of Living in Guerneville, CA

With a cost of living index of 135, Guerneville, CA is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 35% more expensive than the national average and 9% below the California state average of 144. Guerneville is a small community of 4,522 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Guerneville's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,583 (20% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $589,600 (93% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 7x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Guerneville is $84,294, which is 12% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 23% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they do not fully offset the higher cost of living.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to Guerneville. The area sees an average annual temperature of 58.1°F, with summers averaging 67°F and winters around 48°F. Annual rainfall totals 33.8 inches spread over roughly 76 days.

Everyday prices in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, 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.