Carlsbad, California has an overall cost of living index of 110.7, which is 10.7 points above the US average of 100 — making it pricier than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $2,808 per month, while the typical home is valued around $1,257,000. Households earn a median of $142,748 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$142,748
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$2,808
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$1,257,000
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
110.7
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$2,288
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$2,459
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$3,001
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$3,998
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
110.7
Goods
102.2
Rents / Housing
185.8
Services
158.3
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $157,860 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $139,350 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $86,960 |
| ⚡Electrician | $82,400 |
| 📊Accountant | $104,740 |
| 🔧Plumber | $74,940 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $277,840 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $116,680 |
| 👔Operations Manager | N/A |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $94,230 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $169,580 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $59,040 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $173,930 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
114,373
Latest estimate
Median Age
42.5 yrs
Census ACS
🌬️
AQI data not available
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
59
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$3,083
Per month
Avg Home Value
$1,258,000
Census ACS
Healthcare Score
51.0
fair
Hospitals
200
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
96.0%
What is the cost of living index for Carlsbad?
Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 110.7. The US national average is 100, so Carlsbad is 10.7 points above the national average.
What is the median rent in Carlsbad?
The median gross rent in Carlsbad is $2,808 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Carlsbad?
The median household income in Carlsbad is $142,748 per year.
What is the median home value in Carlsbad?
The median home value in Carlsbad is $1,257,000 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Carlsbad?
Air quality data for Carlsbad is not yet available.
What are the taxes like in Carlsbad?
Tax data for California is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
