Cost of Living in Grass Valley, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,029 (excluding rent), and $2,953 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,785 (excluding rent), and $4,653 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.27 $20.27

$16.22 $16.22

$40.54 $40.54

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$147 $147

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.23 $8.23

$7.2 $7.2

$15.43 $15.43

Cappuccino

$4.87 $4.87

$3.99 $3.99

$6.99 $6.99

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.59 $2.59

$2.01 $2.01

$3.02 $3.02

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.49 $1.49

$0.99 $0.99

$2.97 $2.97

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.89 $7.89

$6.91 $6.91

$9.86 $9.86

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.9 $7.9

$11.84 $11.84

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.09 $1.09

$1.63 $1.63

White Bread (500g)

$5.07 $5.07

$4.52 $4.52

$6.21 $6.21

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.27 $2.27

$9.06 $9.06

Eggs

$6.53 $6.53

$2.92 $2.92

$9.72 $9.72

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.9 $20.9

$13.34 $13.34

$42.31 $42.31

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.69 $14.69

$8.71 $8.71

$23.94 $23.94

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.69 $16.69

$13.07 $13.07

$17.43 $17.43

Apples (1kg)

$4.46 $4.46

$2.23 $2.23

$11.15 $11.15

Banana (1kg)

$2.21 $2.21

$1.77 $1.77

$2.67 $2.67

Oranges (1kg)

$2.25 $2.25

$2.05 $2.05

$9.58 $9.58

Tomato (1kg)

$6.14 $6.14

$4.39 $4.39

$9.32 $9.32

Potato (1kg)

$2.17 $2.17

$6.51 $6.51

Onion (1kg)

$3.31 $3.31

$2.14 $2.14

$4.29 $4.29

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.01 $1.01

$3.04 $3.04

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.1 $3.1

$2.04 $2.04

$4.08 $4.08

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.97 $9.97

$12.96 $12.96

Wine (Bottle)

$16.17 $16.17

$10.11 $10.11

$26.27 $26.27

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.46 $1.46

$1.77 $1.77

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.06 $4.06

$3.04 $3.04

$6.09 $6.09

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.99 $1.99

$1.24 $1.24

$1.99 $1.99

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.4 $3.4

$4.86 $4.86

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.01 $2.01

$2.47 $2.47

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$39.84 $39.84

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 $1.29

$1.17 $1.17

$1.47 $1.47

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23.6K $23.6K

$23.2K $23.2K

$30.6K $30.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.3K $26.3K

$26.2K $26.2K

$26.4K $26.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$278 $278

$100 $100

$477 $477

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53.3 $53.3

$35.21 $35.21

$121 $121

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.3 $60.3

$55.3 $55.3

$84.5 $84.5

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.25 $49.25

$17.24 $17.24

$49.25 $49.25

Cinema Ticket

$12.87 $12.87

$11.88 $11.88

$17.82 $17.82

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,780 $2,780

$2,436 $2,436

$2,851 $2,851

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$37.3K $37.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.23 $35.23

$89.6 $89.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.44 $35.44

$25.31 $25.31

$70.9 $70.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.4 $88.4

$57.9 $57.9

$162 $162

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$123 $123

$39.58 $39.58

$247 $247

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,785 $1,785

$1,760 $1,760

$1,810 $1,810

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,573 $1,573

$1,548 $1,548

$1,598 $1,598

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,333 $2,333

$2,199 $2,199

$2,599 $2,599

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,599 $1,599

$1,199 $1,199

$1,999 $1,999

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,720 $3,720

$3,669 $3,669

$3,799 $3,799

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,625 $3,625

$3,575 $3,575

$3,661 $3,661

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,910 $2,910

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.55

6.19

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Grass Valley, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Grass Valley, CA, United States is a small-town hub with a friendly, safe vibe and a balanced cost profile. When you compare it to coastal cities or major metros, you will notice value in housing options and dining, while everyday goods stay reasonably approachable. The town appeals to those who want a quieter cadence without sacrificing access to nature, good services, and a sense of community. As a nomad, you will find flexible rentals, a few coworking spaces, and dependable internet. Cost of Living in Grass Valley, CA, United States varies by neighborhood, season, and length of stay. Tip: Look for month-to-month or furnished options in the downtown area to test the rhythm before committing.

Daily life in Grass Valley offers a practical balance of options: modest apartments and small houses for rent, plus a few longer-term setups in surrounding towns. Food comes from family grocers and farmers markets with seasonal produce. Transport works well if you own a car; bike-friendly streets and a compact downtown keep errands doable, and rideshares fill gaps. Coworking spaces and cafes with reliable Wi-Fi support remote work. Grass Valley, CA, United States living cost tends to stay steady, with seasonal fluctuations tied to tourism and heating needs. Tip: test a few neighborhoods on weekend visits to gauge noise, amenities, and walkability before settling in.

Quality of life here comes from balancing pace, outdoors, and community activities. A simple budgeting framework helps: define needs (housing, utilities, groceries, healthcare) and wants (eat-out, entertainment), then allocate a predictable portion for seasonal costs like heating in winter or last-minute trips. Neighborhood fit matters: Downtown Grass Valley offers walkability, local culture, and easy access to shops; West Grass Valley and Penn Valley areas tend to be calmer with more space; look for proximity to trails or the creek. Embrace seasonal markets, festivals, and outdoor recreation to stretch your budget. Tip: set a monthly schedule for groceries, transit, and coworking to avoid drift.