Ukiah, located in California, is a city known for its scenic beauty and vibrant community. Understanding the cost of living in Ukiah is crucial for both current residents and those considering a move to this charming city.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of various expenses, including dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities, to help you make informed financial decisions.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $22 on average, with a range between $20 and $50.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $85, with prices ranging from $70 to $170.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $8.5, with a range between $8.5 and $15.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $5 to $9, imported beer $6 to $11, cappuccino $4 to $6, and Coke/Pepsi $2 to $3.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.79 and $2.11 per liter, averaging $1.12.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $3.99 and $6.06, with an average price of $4.96.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $3 to $7, averaging $3.89.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $4.41 to $13.21 per kg, while oranges range from $3.31 to $9.37 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $2.2 and $6.59 per kg, and lettuce costs $2 to $2.65 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.18 and $1.59 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3.5, with a cost of $2.4 to $3.73 per km and $40 per hour of waiting.
  • Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs between $23,536 and $36,753.89, while a Toyota Corolla is priced around $25,791 to $26,000.

Housing Costs

  • Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child - The cost for private preschool or kindergarten is between $2,400 and $2,808.33 monthly.
  • International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child - Yearly tuition for an international primary school is $37,770.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $200 and $463.64, averaging $349.97.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $45 to $84, with an average cost of $60.
  • Mobile Phone Plan - A mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data costs between $35 and $120, averaging $48.75.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Jan, 2025
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 3 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$22.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$85.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$8.50
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.50
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17
Cappuccino (regular)
$4.97
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.12
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$4.96
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.89
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.23
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.85
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$10.50
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$11.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.61
Apples (1kg)
$8.02
Oranges (1kg)
$7.85
Potato (1kg)
$5.04
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22
Rice (white), (1kg)
$6.27
Tomato (1kg)
$6.06
Banana (1kg)
$2.90
Onion (1kg)
$3.66
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$16.16
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.29
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$23,536.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.50
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$2.40
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$40.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$26,010.21
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$349.97
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$60.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$48.75
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$16.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.33
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$50.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$116.25
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$158.75
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.61%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$2,738.89
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$37,770.00
Ukiah Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Ukiah offers a diverse range of dining options, with prices varying significantly between casual and upscale restaurants.

Grocery prices in Ukiah are relatively moderate, though some items like fruits and vegetables can be on the higher side.

Transportation costs, including fuel and taxi fares, are fairly standard, but purchasing a new car can be a significant expense.

Utilities and internet services are reasonably priced, though mobile phone plans can vary widely in cost.

Conclusion

Overall, the cost of living in Ukiah, CA, reflects a balance between affordability and the quality of life offered by this picturesque city.

While some expenses such as dining and housing can be high, careful budgeting and planning can help manage costs effectively.

Prospective residents should consider these factors when planning a move to Ukiah, ensuring they are prepared for the financial commitments involved.