Living in Clearlake, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Clearlake · Census data 2020–2024
Clearlake has 16,659 residents with a median age of 38.8. The median household income is $41,867 (58% lower than the California median), the median home value is $214,200, the median rent is $1,240/month.
Clearlake at a glance
- Population
- 16,659
- Median age
- 38.8State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $41,867State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $214,200State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,240/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 59.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 7.9%
- Average commute
- 33 min
Is Clearlake a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 71% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 58% lower than the California median; an average commute of 33 minutes; unemployment of 14.8%; a poverty rate of 25.5%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Clearlake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Clearlake the median home value is $214,200, 36% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,240 per month, which is 45.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,536 a month in housing costs.
Clearlake median household income
The median household income in Clearlake is $41,867 and the income per person is $21,287. 25.5% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Clearlake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 7,709
- Owner-occupied
- 59.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 40.5%
- Vacant
- 21%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1976
- Average household size
- 2.71
Clearlake demographics
- Population
- 16,659
- Median age
- 38.8
- Under 18
- 25.5%
- 65 and older
- 17.1%
- Households
- 6,088
- Foreign-born
- 12.6%
- Veterans
- 5.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Clearlake ›
Education in Clearlake
7.9% of adults 25 and older in Clearlake have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 2.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Clearlake
- Unemployment rate
- 14.8%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 33 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 12.2%
- Drive alone
- 69.2%
- Public transit
- 1.7%
- Walk to work
- 3.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 82.1%
Clearlake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearlake | 16,659 | $41,867 | $214,200 | $1,240 |
| Lower Lake | 635 | $31,652 | $327,600 | $1,038 |
| Clearlake Oaks | 2,198 | $35,938 | $250,900 | $1,506 |
| Clearlake Riviera | 4,122 | $89,395 | $328,500 | $1,815 |
| Soda Bay | 802 | $81,806 | $358,600 | $1,675 |
| Spring Valley | 853 | $48,679 | $340,200 | — |
| Cobb | 842 | $120,250 | $392,400 | — |
| Lucerne | 3,435 | $56,625 | $243,500 | $1,408 |
| Kelseyville | 4,011 | $45,663 | — | $1,132 |
More for people moving to Clearlake
Clearlake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Clearlake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Clearlake, CA?
The median household income in Clearlake is $41,867, 58% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Clearlake?
The median home value in Clearlake is $214,200, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Clearlake?
The median gross rent in Clearlake is $1,240 per month, about 45.4% of household income.
Is Clearlake, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 71% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 58% lower than the California median; an average commute of 33 minutes; unemployment of 14.8%; a poverty rate of 25.5%.
What is the median age in Clearlake?
The median age in Clearlake is 38.8 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Clearlake?
The average commute to work in Clearlake is 33 minutes; 12.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Clearlake?
The unemployment rate in Clearlake is 14.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Clearlake?
7.9% of adults in Clearlake have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: