El Dorado Hills sits where Sacramento’s suburbs brush the first folds of the Sierra Nevada, so mountain views, lake access, and master-planned villages all factor into day-to-day costs. Below you’ll find a practical breakdown of housing, taxes, utilities, groceries, and transportation; plus a look at how those numbers stack up against national averages; so you can decide whether a home in El Dorado Hills fits your budget.
Is It Expensive to Buy a Home in El Dorado Hills, CA?
August 2025 closings show a median sale price of $979,000, well above both county and national medians. Buyers pay a premium for Folsom Lake views, larger lots, and gated amenities.
Many master-planned neighborhoods add homeowner-association dues, clubhouse assessments, and gated-road fees.
When you shop homes for sale in El Dorado Hills, price out principal + interest, property tax, HOA dues, and estimated maintenance so the full monthly figure doesn’t surprise you—especially if you’re eyeing view lots or new-construction estates.
Compare neighborhoods: town-center townhomes often close below ridge-top estates, so location choice can shave—or add—thousands to your budget.
What Is the Average Rent in El Dorado Hills, CA?
Recent rental indices land average asking rent near $2,800 for all unit types. One- and two-bedroom apartments closer to Town Center run lower; single-family homes with yards lease for more.
Summer vacancies tighten when lake events fill calendars, so expect competitive pricing during peak seasons. Always adjust advertised rent for utilities: some complexes roll water, trash, or even basic internet into the monthly figure.
What Are the Taxes in El Dorado Hills, CA?
California’s progressive income tax ranges from 1% to 12.3%; many local households fall between 6% and 9.3%. At checkout, you’ll pay 8.25% sales tax (state + county + local measures) on most retail purchases.
Short-term visitors contribute through a transient-occupancy tax, but that doesn’t affect residents unless you host vacation rentals.
How High Are Property Taxes in El Dorado Hills, CA?
El Dorado County’s effective rate hovers around 1.07%.
On a $1,000,000 purchase, count on roughly $10,700 per year before local bonds and special-district levies.
Proposition 13 caps annual assessed-value increases for long-time owners, but new buyers should budget taxes on the full sale price.
Always pull the county Tax Rate Area report for a parcel before closing; it lists school bonds, fire districts, and any Mello-Roos assessments.
What Are the Average Monthly Utility Expenses in El Dorado Hills, CA?
Residential electricity in California remains among the nation’s priciest, with typical electric + gas bills running $160–$225 per month for moderate use. Households set aside $200–$400 per month for the full utility stack
Summer A/C in foothill heat can also push totals higher, especially in larger homes.
How Much Does Transportation Cost in El Dorado Hills, CA?
In October 2025 the average price at the pump sat near $4.66 a gallon across California. A half-hour drive to Sacramento adds up to about 1,200 miles a month; at 25 mpg that’s roughly $225 in gas. Layer in insurance, maintenance, and registration, and two-car households often put $500–$700 a month toward transportation. With limited transit in town, most residents build those higher California fuel costs into the budget from the start.
What Is the Median Household Income in El Dorado Hills, CA?
Census snapshots put the midpoint household at roughly $106,190 a year. Much of that lift comes from professionals who collect Sacramento paychecks yet choose foothill living, nudging local earnings well beyond the national norm.
What Income Do You Need to Live Comfortably in El Dorado Hills?
Most budget calculators peg comfort around $172,000 for a family and about $80,000 for a single resident. Think of those numbers as mile-markers, not finish lines—your real target moves with your mortgage, household size, and day-to-day spending habits.
How Does El Dorado Hills Compare to the National Average?
Overall cost-of-living indices place the town about 44% above the U.S. average, with housing the biggest driver of the gap.
High local incomes, year-round recreation, and lake access balance the ledger for many residents, but careful budgeting remains key.
FAQs About the Cost of Living in El Dorado Hills
How much should I set aside each month for housing and utilities?
Owners on a median-priced home typically earmark $4,000–$5,000 for the mortgage, property taxes, HOA dues, and core utilities. Expect the number to climb if you choose a larger lot, premium view, or above-average electricity use in summer.
Is El Dorado Hills pricier than Folsom or Sacramento?
Yes. Especially once housing enters the equation. Scarce buildable land and lake-view premiums keep median sale prices well above both neighboring cities, and day-to-day costs follow suit.
Do HOA dues matter in the total monthly cost?
Definitely. Many subdivisions charge dues for clubhouse upkeep, private road maintenance, or shared trail systems, and those fees can run from a few hundred dollars to more than a thousand per quarter. Build the dues into your mortgage math so you see the true monthly obligation.
Are food, gas, and utilities volatile here?
They move with state and national inflation but show sharper swings than many regions. Electricity rates and gasoline prices can jump quickly, so leave a cushion in your monthly budget for spikes.
Where can I find neighborhood-level cost differences?
Start with recent MLS listings to see list-price gaps by ZIP code, then cross-check county assessor maps for property-tax variations. HOA disclosure packets fill in the rest by detailing dues and any upcoming special assessments.
