salaryRent is higher than in 83% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.9 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (57%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 76.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $96,400 a year. That is $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 354 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Davis?
Share of households by yearly income. 38.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Davis
| Size | Davis | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,001 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,921 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,303 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,813 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,955 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Davis overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Davis, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Davis
Life in Davis
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Davis?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,600 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $866,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $86,610 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Davis, CA?
Renting in Davis costs a median of about $2,410 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Davis?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $96,400 a year, or $46 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Davis cheap or expensive?
Davis is rated OK: rent takes 29.8% of the typical household income of $97,114. It ranks 354th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Davis?
The median homeowner in Davis pays $6,968 a year in property taxes, about 0.80% of the median home value.
Is Davis more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Davis?
The median home value in Davis is $866,100, about 8.9 times the typical yearly household income.
66,978 people live in Davis. Numbers are typical (middle) values.