Living in Petaluma, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Petaluma · Census data 2020–2024
Petaluma has 59,247 residents with a median age of 45.3. The median household income is $115,430 (16% higher than the California median), the median home value is $878,600, the median rent is $2,440/month.
Petaluma at a glance
- Population
- 59,247
- Median age
- 45.3State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $115,430State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $878,600State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $2,440/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 64.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 43.8%
- Average commute
- 31 min
Is Petaluma a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 16% higher than the California median; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 6.5%.
Cons: Home values 20% higher than the state median; an average commute of 31 minutes.
The weather is best in June to August and October.
Cost of living in Petaluma
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Petaluma the median home value is $878,600, 164% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,440 per month, which is 33.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,098 a month in housing costs.
Petaluma median household income
The median household income in Petaluma is $115,430 and the income per person is $60,931. 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Petaluma: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 25,107
- Owner-occupied
- 64.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 35.5%
- Vacant
- 3.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1979
- Average household size
- 2.42
Petaluma demographics
- Population
- 59,247
- Median age
- 45.3
- Under 18
- 18.2%
- 65 and older
- 22.1%
- Households
- 24,239
- Foreign-born
- 15.3%
- Veterans
- 5.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Petaluma ›
Education in Petaluma
43.8% of adults 25 and older in Petaluma have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 15.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Petaluma
- Unemployment rate
- 4.6%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 31 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 20.5%
- Drive alone
- 66.7%
- Public transit
- 1.8%
- Walk to work
- 2.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.9%
Petaluma vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petaluma | 59,247 | $115,430 | $878,600 | $2,440 |
| Penngrove | 2,119 | $107,147 | $1,196,000 | $2,130 |
| Temelec | 1,628 | $67,582 | $679,800 | $3,030 |
| Cotati | 7,489 | $110,750 | $746,800 | $2,056 |
| Rohnert Park | 44,575 | $99,273 | $666,300 | $2,279 |
| El Verano | 3,443 | $123,738 | $909,300 | $2,372 |
| Petaluma Center | 763 | $75,682 | — | $3,333 |
| Boyes Hot Springs | 7,247 | $101,288 | $783,300 | $1,876 |
| Glen Ellen | 1,078 | $202,097 | $1,371,400 | $1,582 |
More for people moving to Petaluma
Petaluma ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Petaluma: FAQ
What is the median household income in Petaluma, CA?
The median household income in Petaluma is $115,430, 16% 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 Petaluma?
The median home value in Petaluma is $878,600, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Petaluma?
The median gross rent in Petaluma is $2,440 per month, about 33.7% of household income.
Is Petaluma, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 16% higher than the California median; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 6.5%. Minuses: home values 20% higher than the state median; an average commute of 31 minutes.
What is the median age in Petaluma?
The median age in Petaluma is 45.3 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Petaluma?
The average commute to work in Petaluma is 31 minutes; 20.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Petaluma?
The unemployment rate in Petaluma is 4.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Petaluma?
43.8% of adults in Petaluma 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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