F
23%
Overall NAT. AVG.
12%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
37%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Apple Valley California National
Cost of living123141100
Groceries112111100
Health care115116100
Housing137197100
Transportation119118100
Utilities120119100
Lifestyle & Entertainment121120100
Household Items111111100
Education & Childcare123127100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Apple Valley, CA

Understanding the cost of living in Apple Valley can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Apple Valley cost of living index is 123, which is 23% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Apple Valley is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Apple Valley falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Apple Valley, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 37.1% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

The routine items you regularly buy for your home, such as cleaning supplies, personal care products, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials, make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Apple Valley, these items cost 11.2% more than the national average, making day-to-day living a bit more expensive.

The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in Apple Valley is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 11.5% higher than the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Apple Valley?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 8 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Apple Valley. The results indicated that 50% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 50% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Apple Valley Affordable?

Is Apple Valley an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Apple Valley, the median home price is 48% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 11.8% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Apple Valley come in at $83,370, which is 2.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Apple Valley?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Apple Valley, the transportation index is 19.4% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Apple Valley, the utilities index registers at 20% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Apple Valley, healthcare costs are 15.1% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Apple Valley cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Apple Valley is 13% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in Apple Valley is 23% higher than the national average
  • Apple Valley housing is 37% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Apple Valley

See all the best places to live around Apple Valley

Compare Apple Valley, CA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$108,066$9,006$2,521$3,242
      Renters$53,964$4,497$1,259$1,619
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Apple Valley is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Apple Valley has a median income of about $108,066 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,521 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $53,964. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,259 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      California Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      California 7.25% 10.5%

      California Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      California 1% 13.3%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lucerne Valley, CA5,8371098.8%
      Adelanto, CA35,08111615.8%
      Mountain View Acres, CA3,81412221.9%
      Victorville, CA126,10412222.5%
      Hesperia, CA98,41912322.5%
      Apple Valley, CA75,21712322.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lafayette, IN75,1918911.4%
      South Jordan, UT75,27813636.0%
      Flagstaff, AZ75,43312625.9%
      New Britain, CT74,9631044.4%
      Evanston, IL75,47713131.4%
      Apple Valley, CA75,21712322.8%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.