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Cost of Living in Penn Valley, CA

Population: 1,197 | California

130
Cost of Living Index
US Average = 100

Penn Valley is 30% more expensive than the national average.

122
Housing
174
Home Values
109
Regional Price

Cost of Living in Penn Valley, CA: What You Need to Know

With a cost of living index of 130, Penn Valley, CA is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 30% more expensive than the national average and 13% below the California state average of 144. Penn Valley is a small community of 1,197 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Penn Valley's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,608 (22% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $530,100 (74% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 8.4x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Penn Valley is $62,966, which is 16% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 31% of household income on rent. This exceeds the recommended 30% threshold, meaning many renters here are cost-burdened.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to Penn Valley. The area sees an average annual temperature of 62.1°F, with summers averaging 77°F and winters around 48°F. Annual rainfall totals 20.1 inches spread over roughly 63 days. The mild climate is a draw for many residents and keeps utility costs moderate year-round.

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.

Income

Median Household Income
$62,966
vs US Median ($75,149)
-16%

Housing

Median Rent
$1,608/mo
Median Home Value
$530,100
Median Monthly Housing Cost
$1,606/mo

Climate in Penn Valley

NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)

62.1°F
Avg Temperature
20.1"
Rainfall / Year
63d
Rainy Days / Year
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High °F 56 60 66 73 82 90 96 95 90 79 64 55
Avg °F 47 51 55 60 67 74 79 77 73 64 53 47
Low °F 38 41 43 46 52 58 61 60 56 49 41 38
Rain" 3.8 3.7 2.9 1.4 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1 1.0 2.2 3.7

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