salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 7.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $142,040 a year. That is $68 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 641 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Napa?
Share of households by yearly income. 43.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Napa
| Size | Napa | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,487 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,835 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,484 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,272 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Napa overall?
Everyday prices in the Napa metro area are 13% above the U.S. average (index 112.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Napa
Life in Napa
What jobs pay in Napa
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $200,580 | 21.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $176,270 | 24.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $172,170 | 24.7% |
| Lawyer | $168,720 | 25.3% |
| Software Developer | $153,130 | 27.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $131,370 | 32.4% |
| Police Officer | $127,310 | 33.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $124,790 | 34.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $123,440 | 34.5% |
| Operations Manager | $106,680 | 39.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $100,410 | 42.4% |
| Accountant | $99,640 | 42.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $84,570 | 50.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $83,690 | 50.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $81,440 | 52.3% |
| Carpenter | $80,590 | 52.9% |
| Firefighter | $80,260 | 53.1% |
| Electrician | $78,080 | 54.6% |
| Plumber | $65,420 | 65.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $62,050 | 68.7% |
| Truck Driver | $60,860 | 70.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $53,360 | 79.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $50,370 | 84.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $47,320 | 90.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,230 | 92.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $40,780 | 104.5% |
| Cashier | $38,500 | 110.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,130 | 114.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Napa?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,391 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $856,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $85,640 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Napa, CA?
Renting in Napa costs a median of about $3,551 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Napa?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $142,040 a year, or $68 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Napa cheap or expensive?
Napa is rated Expensive: rent takes 37.3% of the typical household income of $114,281. It ranks 641st cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Napa?
The median homeowner in Napa pays $5,921 a year in property taxes, about 0.69% of the median home value.
Is Napa more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 13% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Napa?
The median home value in Napa is $856,400, about 7.5 times the typical yearly household income.
78,239 people live in Napa. Numbers are typical (middle) values.