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Novato, California Retirement Guide
established retirement community
30
Retirement Score
Novato, California at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $936,100
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.
- Avg January Low
- N/A
- Cost of Living Index
- 112.6 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 30 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
112.6 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$936,100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$2,323High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
22.2 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
41.2 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
22.2 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July HighData not available
Avg January LowData not available
Annual PrecipitationData not available
Sunny Days / YearData not available
Safety
Safety Score
82.3 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
13.4 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
15.3 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
53,055High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
48.6High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
25.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$110,948High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
68.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
6.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
48.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
8.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
68.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
4.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
22.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
6.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Novato using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$2,028
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$2,278
Median home price used: $936,100
Median rent reference: $2,323 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.