Living in Occidental, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Occidental · Census data 2020–2024
Occidental has 1,225 residents with a median age of 55.1. The median household income is $108,207 (9% higher than the California median), the median home value is $1,167,800, the median rent is $1,063/month.
Occidental is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Occidental at a glance
- Population
- 1,225
- Median age
- 55.1State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $108,207State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $1,167,800State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,063/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 74.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 67.6%
- Average commute
- 45 min
Is Occidental a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 9% higher than the California median; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 7%.
Cons: Home values 59% higher than the state median; an average commute of 45 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Occidental
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Occidental the median home value is $1,167,800, 251% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,063 per month, which is 14.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $4,001 a month in housing costs.
Occidental median household income
The median household income in Occidental is $108,207 and the income per person is $96,358. 7% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Occidental: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 756
- Owner-occupied
- 74.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 25.6%
- Vacant
- 29.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1968
- Average household size
- 2.29
Occidental demographics
- Population
- 1,225
- Median age
- 55.1
- Under 18
- 12.2%
- 65 and older
- 29%
- Households
- 535
- Foreign-born
- 8.2%
- Veterans
- 5.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Occidental ›
Education in Occidental
67.6% of adults 25 and older in Occidental have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 21.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Occidental
- Unemployment rate
- 4.6%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 45 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 55.2%
- Drive alone
- 36.9%
- Public transit
- 5.5%
- Walk to work
- 1.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.8%
Occidental vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occidental | 1,225 | $108,207 | $1,167,800 | $1,063 |
| Bodega | 134 | $90,625 | $1,230,800 | — |
| Graton | 1,806 | $91,429 | $878,100 | $2,826 |
| Sebastopol | 7,445 | $87,684 | $845,700 | $1,902 |
| Forestville | 3,717 | $115,962 | $730,300 | $1,833 |
| Bodega Bay | 1,139 | $182,898 | $1,294,900 | $1,689 |
| Monte Rio | 876 | $63,750 | $652,000 | $1,817 |
| Sereno del Mar | 101 | $78,214 | $1,071,400 | — |
| Bloomfield | 324 | $142,422 | $1,294,800 | — |
More for people moving to Occidental
Occidental ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Occidental: FAQ
What is the median household income in Occidental, CA?
The median household income in Occidental is $108,207, 9% higher 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 Occidental?
The median home value in Occidental is $1,167,800, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Occidental?
The median gross rent in Occidental is $1,063 per month, about 14.1% of household income.
Is Occidental, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 9% higher than the California median; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 7%. Minuses: home values 59% higher than the state median; an average commute of 45 minutes.
What is the median age in Occidental?
The median age in Occidental is 55.1 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Occidental?
The average commute to work in Occidental is 45 minutes; 55.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Occidental?
The unemployment rate in Occidental is 4.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Occidental?
67.6% of adults in Occidental 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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