1% Mental Health Services surtax on income over $1M (13.3% top rate)
Effective property tax rate
0.66%
#45 of 200
Median property tax paid
$4,494
#167 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,200
#139 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$19,000
#178 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
US rank
Annual registration
$300
#174 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
0.65% of value (~$182/yr)
#115 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Smog check every 2 years in most counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
25 min
#116 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
US rank
Electricity
35.3¢/kWh
#181 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$317
#181 of 200
Gasoline
$4.85/gal
#182 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,500
#51 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,400
#154 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$750
#90 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$950
#182 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
39
#31 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,000
#78 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
2,200
#51 of 200
Avg summer high
84°F
#37 of 200
Avg winter low
45°F
#20 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
9b
Frost window
01-31 → 12-31
Safety
Metric
Value
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k)
500
#161 of 200
Property crime (per 100k)
2,330
#112 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
US rank
Grocery stores
120
#5 of 200
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
5
#165 of 200
Permit detail
Very difficult; CEQA + local review, esp. SF/coastal
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.