Vet costs in California (2026)
Pick your metro area to see local vet prices, or check the statewide numbers below. Every number links to its source.
Last updated: October 2026
California cities
Bakersfield
Exam fee median $83 · cost index 100.9
See Bakersfield costsCA · EstimateChico
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 101.2
See Chico costsCA · EstimateEl Centro
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 95.2
See El Centro costsCAFresno
Exam fee median $85 · cost index 102.2
See Fresno costsCA · EstimateHanford–Corcoran
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 101.6
See Hanford–Corcoran costsCALos Angeles
Exam fee median $85 · cost index 113.6
See Los Angeles costsCA · EstimateMerced
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 98.3
See Merced costsCA · EstimateModesto
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 104.1
See Modesto costsCA · EstimateNapa
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 112.6
See Napa costsCA · EstimateOxnard–Ventura
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 110.5
See Oxnard–Ventura costsCA · EstimateRedding
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 100.7
See Redding costsCARiverside–San Bernardino
Exam fee median $85 · cost index 106.4
See Riverside–San Bernardino costsCASacramento
Exam fee median $85 · cost index 106.7
See Sacramento costsCA · EstimateSalinas
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 109.0
See Salinas costsCASan Diego
Exam fee median $85 · cost index 111.9
See San Diego costsCASan Francisco–Oakland
Exam fee median $105 · cost index 115.6
See San Francisco–Oakland costsCASan Jose
Exam fee median $100 · cost index 110.4
See San Jose costsCA · EstimateSan Luis Obispo–Paso Robles
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 108.6
See San Luis Obispo–Paso Robles costsCA · EstimateSanta Cruz–Watsonville
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 109.9
See Santa Cruz–Watsonville costsCA · EstimateSanta Maria–Santa Barbara
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 108.8
See Santa Maria–Santa Barbara costsCA · EstimateSanta Rosa–Petaluma
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 107.8
See Santa Rosa–Petaluma costsCAStockton
Exam fee median $85 · cost index 105.1
See Stockton costsCA · EstimateVallejo
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 108.5
See Vallejo costsCA · EstimateVisalia
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 99.8
See Visalia costsCA · EstimateYuba City
Estimate from national data + BEA price index · cost index 104.2
See Yuba City costsStatewide published vet prices
| Item | California median | US median |
|---|---|---|
| Vet exam / office visit (fee only) | $85 (62 practices, most $65–$99) [1] | $75 |
| Core vaccine, per shot | $35 (73 practices, most $28–$44) [1] | $38 |
| Dental cleaning (base price) | $534 (44 practices, most $490–$661) [1] | $466 |
| Spay or neuter | $459 (34 practices, most $300–$650) [1] | $340 |
| Microchip | $55 (13 practices, most $48–$70) [1] | $52 |
Common questions
How much is a vet visit in California?
Across California, practices that publish an exam fee have a median of $85 (PawsRx, 62 practices), compared with a US median of $75. Tests, vaccines and treatment are extra.
Which California cities does PetPriceBook cover?
We have vet cost pages for 25 California metro areas: Bakersfield, Chico, El Centro, Fresno, Hanford–Corcoran, Los Angeles, Merced, Modesto, Napa, Oxnard–Ventura, Redding, Riverside–San Bernardino, Sacramento, Salinas, San Diego, San Francisco–Oakland, San Jose, San Luis Obispo–Paso Robles, Santa Cruz–Watsonville, Santa Maria–Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa–Petaluma, Stockton, Vallejo, Visalia, Yuba City.