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Retirement community in Grass Valley, California

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Grass Valley, California Retirement Guide

established retirement community
53

Retirement Score

Grass Valley, California at a Glance

Median Home Price
$434,100
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.
Avg January Low
36°F
Cost of Living Index
112.6 (US avg = 100)
Best For
established retirement community
RetireCityIQ Score
53 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Grass Valley, California, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
112.6 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$49,855High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Grass Valley's cost of living is 12.599999999999994% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$434,100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,267High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
41.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Grass Valley using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$941

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,056

Median home price used: $434,100

Median rent reference: $1,267 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Grass Valley, California after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
84.3 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
84.3 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
46.9 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Grass Valley scores 84.3 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Grass Valley

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Grass Valley

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

California has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
93.2°FHigh confidence
Avg January Low
36°FHigh confidence
Annual Precipitation
46.3"High confidence
Sunny Days / Year
320 daysHigh confidence

With 320 sunny days a year and an average January low of 36°F, Grass Valley offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
82.3 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
31 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
0 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
13,964High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
47.7High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
29.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
7.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
30.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
84.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
0.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
9.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
2.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Grass Valley

Is Grass Valley, California a good place to retire?

Grass Valley, California is one of the US retirement-friendly cities tracked by RetireCityIQ. Notable retirement-relevant traits include established retirement community. See the at-a-glance card on this page for the cost of living, state tax treatment, climate, and healthcare access metrics.

What is the cost of living in Grass Valley, California for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 113, roughly 13% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $434,100.

Does California tax Social Security or retirement income?

For California residents: State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.

What is the climate like in Grass Valley, California?

Grass Valley, California has January average low around 36°F, July average high around 93°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Grass Valley, California?

Grass Valley scores 84/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a top-tier score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

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