Skyline of Chula Vista
Cost of Living: 138.5 277,220

Chula Vista, CA, US

San Diego suburb with Mexican border proximity, diversity, and coastal California prices.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 138.5

Very High vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 188.4

Very Expensive

Median Income $82,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.2%

Job market health

Chula Vista vs US Average

Cost of Living
Chula Vista: 138.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Chula Vista: 188.4
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Chula Vista: 9.3%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 9.3%
  • Sales Tax: 7.8%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $82,000
  • Unemployment: 4.2%
  • Population: 277,220

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 267/year
  • Summer High: 76°F
  • Winter Low: 48°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6b

Housing

  • Median Home: $650,000
  • 1BR Rent: $2100/mo

Cost of Living

Chula Vista's cost of living index is 138.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryChula VistaNational AverageDifference
Overall138.5100+38.5%
Housing188.4100+88.4%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$650,000
Median Rent (1BR)$2100/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$2,625/mo
Price per Sq Ft$433

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
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$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Chula Vista:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$260Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$28Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$100Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$60Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$35Private service
Total Utilities$483Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Chula Vista scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
138.5
Rent
$2100
Sunny Days
267
Tax
9.3%
Unemployment
4.2%
Climate
76°F / 48°F
Safety
1.1 homicides/100k
Population
277,220
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Chula Vista has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January68°F48°F2.5"
April61°F63°F2.8"
July76°F51°F1.5"
October56°F66°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6b

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Chula Vista faces the following natural hazards:

Wildfire Extreme Risk

Frequent and severe wildfire seasons.

Earthquake High Risk

Located on the San Andreas Fault system with frequent seismic activity.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat in inland and desert regions.

Drought High Risk

Frequent and severe drought conditions.

Landslide High Risk

Coastal and mountainous regions with frequent landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Sierra Nevada with frequent avalanches.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods and river flooding.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in desert regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 9.3%
  • Sales Tax: 7.75%
  • Property Tax: ~0.76% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.2%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Chula Vista per 100,000 residents:

375.8
Violent Crime
1,132.4
Property Crime
1.1
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

60/100
School Quality Score
Better than 27% of US cities
?
65
Total Schools
11.1:1
Student:Teacher
85.9%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Chula Vista, CA, US?

The cost of living index in Chula Vista is 138.5, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Chula Vista?

The median home price in Chula Vista is $650,000. The housing index is 188.4.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chula Vista is approximately $2100/mo.

Does Chula Vista, CA have income tax?

Chula Vista is in CA, which has an income tax rate of 9.3%.

What is the climate like in Chula Vista?

Chula Vista enjoys approximately 267 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 76°F, while winter lows can drop to around 48°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.