What is the cost of living in Willows, CA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Willows has an overall cost of living index of 115, which is 1.1x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to California, Willows has a cost of living index that's 0.8x lower than California's index of 142.
The standard of living in Willows ranks as #59 most affordable out of the 634 places we measured in California. By definition, that implies Willows ranks as the #575 most expensive place in the Golden State.
For more reading on life in Willows, check out:
Willows Cost Of Living Vs. California
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Willows. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Willows is 110.
The Groceries index in Willows is 118.
The Health index in Willows is 108.
The Housing index in Willows is 120.
The Transportation index in Willows is 115.
The Utilities index in Willows is 125.
| Living Expense | Willows | California | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 115 | 142 | 100 |
| Services | 110 | 110 | 100 |
| Groceries | 118 | 118 | 100 |
| Health | 108 | 197 | 100 |
| Housing | 120 | 120 | 100 |
| Transportation | 115 | 121 | 100 |
| Utilities | 125 | 121 | 100 |
Willows Cost Of Living Compared To California Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around California, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Willows Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Willows, CA Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in California, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Willows is $315,948.
The Median Rent in Willows is $1,237.
The Median Income in Willows is $64,068.
The Home Value To Income in Willows is 4.9x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Willows is 0.23x.
| Statistic | Willows | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $315,948 | $774,581 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,237 | $2,036 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $64,068 | $99,122 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.9x | 7.8x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.23x | 0.25x | 0.21x |
Willows, CA Costs By Category
Detailed Willows Services costs vs. California
| Item | Willows | California |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.44 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $13.76 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $22.22 | $18 |
| Haircut | $40.0 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $60.53 | $45.56 |
Detailed Willows Groceries costs vs. California
| Item | Willows | California |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.56 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $2.06 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.93 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $4.69 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $13.98 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $10.49 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.67 | $3.7 |
Detailed Willows Health costs vs. California
| Item | Willows | California |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $153.5 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $201.43 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $115.72 | $113.29 |
Detailed Willows Transportation costs vs. California
| Item | Willows | California |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $4.51 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $58.67 | $59.92 |
Detailed Willows Utilities costs vs. California
| Item | Willows | California |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $238.53 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $190.81 | $192.25 |
Willows SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Willows
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Willows. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Chico, CA has a cost of living index of 134, 1.2x Willows.
Live Oak, CA has a cost of living index of 118, 1.0x Willows.
Plumas Lake, CA has a cost of living index of 140, 1.2x Willows.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Willows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico, CA | 102,188 | 134 | 1.2x |
| Live Oak, CA | 16,911 | 118 | 1.0x |
| Plumas Lake, CA | 9,418 | 140 | 1.2x |
| Orland, CA | 8,357 | 117 | 1.0x |
| Paradise, CA | 7,392 | 125 | 1.1x |
| Gridley, CA | 7,330 | 115 | 1.0x |
| Colusa, CA | 6,505 | 119 | 1.0x |
| Williams, CA | 5,585 | 121 | 1.1x |
| Spring Valley, IL | 5,476 | 88 | 0.8x |
| Durham, CA | 5,340 | 158 | 1.4x |
