Living in Sonora, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sonora · Census data 2020–2024
Sonora has 4,919 residents with a median age of 42.1. The median household income is $82,690 (17% lower than the California median), the median home value is $422,300, the median rent is $1,238/month.
Sonora at a glance
- Population
- 4,919
- Median age
- 42.1State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $82,690State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $422,300State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,238/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 42.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 33.2%
- Average commute
- 29 min
Is Sonora a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 43% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 17% lower than the California median; an average commute of 29 minutes; unemployment of 12.4%; a poverty rate of 16.9%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Sonora
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sonora the median home value is $422,300, 27% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,238 per month, which is 33.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,466 a month in housing costs.
Sonora median household income
The median household income in Sonora is $82,690 and the income per person is $39,901. 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Sonora: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,507
- Owner-occupied
- 42.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 57.2%
- Vacant
- 11.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1969
- Average household size
- 2.13
Sonora demographics
- Population
- 4,919
- Median age
- 42.1
- Under 18
- 20.6%
- 65 and older
- 24.2%
- Households
- 2,216
- Foreign-born
- 5.1%
- Veterans
- 8.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sonora ›
Education in Sonora
33.2% of adults 25 and older in Sonora have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 13.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sonora
- Unemployment rate
- 12.4%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 29 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 10.4%
- Drive alone
- 82.9%
- Public transit
- 0.1%
- Walk to work
- 1.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.4%
Sonora vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonora | 4,919 | $82,690 | $422,300 | $1,238 |
| Jamestown | 3,265 | $57,276 | $374,600 | $944 |
| East Sonora | 2,651 | $77,574 | $335,100 | $1,309 |
| Tuttletown | 440 | $116,652 | $604,400 | — |
| Columbia | 2,235 | $58,520 | $376,200 | $1,217 |
| Phoenix Lake | 4,794 | $103,125 | $488,500 | $1,313 |
| Mono Vista | 3,675 | $85,769 | $427,800 | $2,104 |
| Soulsbyville | 2,101 | $96,865 | $419,800 | — |
| Tuolumne City | 1,148 | $57,313 | $431,200 | — |
More for people moving to Sonora
Sonora ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sonora: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sonora, CA?
The median household income in Sonora is $82,690, 17% 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 Sonora?
The median home value in Sonora is $422,300, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Sonora?
The median gross rent in Sonora is $1,238 per month, about 33.8% of household income.
Is Sonora, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 43% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 17% lower than the California median; an average commute of 29 minutes; unemployment of 12.4%; a poverty rate of 16.9%.
What is the median age in Sonora?
The median age in Sonora is 42.1 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Sonora?
The average commute to work in Sonora is 29 minutes; 10.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sonora?
The unemployment rate in Sonora is 12.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sonora?
33.2% of adults in Sonora 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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