Skyline of Napa
Cost of Living: 160 78,000

Napa, CA, US

Heart of Napa Valley wine country with world-class wineries and farm-to-table dining.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Napa is a city in CA with a population of 78,000. Heart of Napa Valley wine country with world-class wineries and farm-to-table dining. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. The overall cost of living is above the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6a growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 260 sunny days a year.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 160

Very High vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 195

Very Expensive

Median Income $75,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.5%

Job market health

Napa vs US Average

Cost of Living
Napa: 160
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Napa: 195
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Napa: 8%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8.0%
  • Sales Tax: 10.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $75,000
  • Unemployment: 3.5%
  • Population: 78,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 260/year
  • Summer High: 85°F
  • Winter Low: 40°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: $850,000
  • 1BR Rent: $2000/mo

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Cost of Living

Napa's cost of living index is 160 (US average = 100).

CategoryNapaNational AverageDifference
Overall160100+60.0%
Housing195100+95.0%

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

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$850,000
Median Rent (1BR)$2000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$2,500/mo
Price per Sq Ft$566

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
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Napa:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$243Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$48Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$95Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$75Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$30Private service
Total Utilities$491Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

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

Remote Work Score

Napa scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
160
Rent
$2000
Sunny Days
260
Tax
8%
Unemployment
3.5%
Climate
85°F / 40°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
78,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Napa has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January60°F40°F2.5"
April70°F55°F2.8"
July85°F60°F1.5"
October65°F58°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

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

Natural Hazards

Napa 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: 8%
  • Sales Tax: 10%
  • Property Tax: ~0.75% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year August to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-May/June)
Summer Break Early June to August (10 weeks)
Winter Break Late December to early January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March or April (1 week)

State mandates 180 school days. Some districts start in mid-August.

Demographics

The population of Napa is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
2.9%
Black or African American
0.9%
Hispanic or Latino
41.0%
Native American
0.1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.1%
Other
0.5%
Two or more races
3.5%
White
51.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.7%
High school graduate
18.2%
Less than high school
15.8%
Some college
29.3%

Religion

Buddhist
2.0%
Christian
58.0%
Hindu
2.0%
Jewish
3.0%
Muslim
2.0%
Unaffiliated
33.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

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 Napa, CA, US?

The cost of living index in Napa is 160, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Napa?

The median home price in Napa is $850,000. The housing index is 195.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Napa is approximately $2000/mo.

Does Napa, CA have income tax?

Napa is in CA, which has an income tax rate of 8%.

What is the climate like in Napa?

Napa enjoys approximately 260 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 85°F, while winter lows can drop to around 40°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: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.