Living in Grass Valley, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Grass Valley · Census data 2020–2024
Grass Valley has 14,113 residents with a median age of 49.6. The median household income is $51,764 (48% lower than the California median), the median home value is $482,200, the median rent is $1,458/month.
Grass Valley at a glance
- Population
- 14,113
- Median age
- 49.6State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $51,764State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $482,200State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,458/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 40.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 32.8%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Grass Valley a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 34% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 48% lower than the California median; unemployment of 7.4%; a poverty rate of 22.1%.
The weather is best in June and August to October.
Cost of living in Grass Valley
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Grass Valley the median home value is $482,200, 45% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,458 per month, which is 38.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,423 a month in housing costs.
Grass Valley median household income
The median household income in Grass Valley is $51,764 and the income per person is $34,640. 22.1% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Grass Valley: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 7,281
- Owner-occupied
- 40.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 59.8%
- Vacant
- 7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 1.96
Grass Valley demographics
- Population
- 14,113
- Median age
- 49.6
- Under 18
- 18.3%
- 65 and older
- 31.8%
- Households
- 6,769
- Foreign-born
- 8.4%
- Veterans
- 8.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Grass Valley ›
Education in Grass Valley
32.8% of adults 25 and older in Grass Valley have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 12.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Grass Valley
- Unemployment rate
- 7.4%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 15.2%
- Drive alone
- 68.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 4.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.9%
Grass Valley vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass Valley | 14,113 | $51,764 | $482,200 | $1,458 |
| Nevada City | 3,172 | $75,792 | $677,400 | $1,411 |
| Rough and Ready | 736 | $102,725 | $691,500 | $1,214 |
| Alta Sierra | 7,361 | $105,603 | $563,700 | $2,254 |
| Penn Valley | 1,678 | $64,737 | $500,700 | $1,230 |
| Lake Wildwood | 4,792 | $85,771 | $551,800 | $2,507 |
| Colfax | 2,407 | $72,788 | $434,300 | $1,553 |
| Dutch Flat | 200 | $96,136 | $440,300 | — |
| Lake of the Pines | 5,461 | $121,682 | $664,300 | $2,399 |
More for people moving to Grass Valley
Grass Valley ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Grass Valley: FAQ
What is the median household income in Grass Valley, CA?
The median household income in Grass Valley is $51,764, 48% 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 Grass Valley?
The median home value in Grass Valley is $482,200, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Grass Valley?
The median gross rent in Grass Valley is $1,458 per month, about 38.2% of household income.
Is Grass Valley, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 34% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes. Minuses: median household income 48% lower than the California median; unemployment of 7.4%; a poverty rate of 22.1%.
What is the median age in Grass Valley?
The median age in Grass Valley is 49.6 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Grass Valley?
The average commute to work in Grass Valley is 17 minutes; 15.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Grass Valley?
The unemployment rate in Grass Valley is 7.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Grass Valley?
32.8% of adults in Grass Valley 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.
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