University of California-Davis, CA Cost of Living

ExpensiveRent takes 100 cents of every $1 people earn here.

🏠 Rent per month (2026)$1,6705% lower than U.S. average

💵 Families earn per year (2026)$20,094about $1,675/month · 77% lower than U.S. average

Rent is higher than in 51% of U.S. cities. Commutes are short, about 17.8 minutes. Most households rent (98%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 70.8% of adults have a college degree.

How much money do I need?

To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $66,800 a year. That is $32 an hour at a full-time job.

Is rent cheaper than other California cities?

Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 124 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.

University of California-Davis

$1,670

$1,932

$1,905

$1,620

$1,295

$1,836

$3,500+

How much do households earn in University of California-Davis?

Under $25k

29.9%

$25k–50k

19.2%

$50k–100k

10.1%

$100k–150k

1.5%

$150k+

1.4%

Share of households by yearly income. 3.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.

Rent by apartment size in University of California-Davis

Size	University of California-Davis	U.S. average
Studio	$1,437	$1,338
1 bedroom	$1,576	$1,324
2 bedrooms	$2,047	$1,509
3 bedrooms	$2,821	$1,698
4 bedrooms	$1,371	$2,098

Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.

How expensive is University of California-Davis overall?

Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).

Housing

154

Goods (food, clothes…)

106

Utilities

159

Other services

103

U.S. average

100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for University of California-Davis, so the California figure is shown.

Taxes and bills in University of California-Davis

⚡ Electric bill$86a month (typical) · U.S. $156

Life in University of California-Davis

Commute to work17.8 minU.S.: 26.4 min

College degree70.8%U.S.: 35.7%

Own their home1.7%U.S.: 65.2%

Below poverty line66.4%U.S.: 12.5%

Unemployment18.2%U.S.: 5.2%

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in University of California-Davis, CA?

Renting in University of California-Davis costs a median of about $1,670 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.

How much do I need to make to live in University of California-Davis?

To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $66,800 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.

Is University of California-Davis cheap or expensive?

University of California-Davis is rated Expensive: rent takes 99.7% of the typical household income of $20,094. It ranks 124th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.

Is University of California-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.

8,696 people live in University of California-Davis. Numbers are typical (middle) values.

Is University of California-Davis, CA expensive to live in?