F
33%
Overall NAT. AVG.
16%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
56%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Cathedral City California National
Cost of living133143100
Goods & Services116115100
Groceries113108100
Health care100103100
Housing156197100
Transportation143136100
Utilities149144100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Cathedral City, CA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Cathedral City is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Cathedral City is 133, which is 33% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Cathedral City may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Cathedral City falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs significantly influence the Cathedral City cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 55.8%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Cathedral City goods and services are 15.8% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Cathedral City, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 12.5% higher than the national average.

Is Cathedral City Affordable?

Is Cathedral City affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Cathedral City, for instance, where the median home price falls 67% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 29.9% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Cathedral City flaunting a median household income of $75,142, 7.6% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Cathedral City?

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Cathedral City, the groceries index registers 12.5% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Cathedral City, the utilities index is 48.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Cathedral City displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Cathedral City is 7% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in Cathedral City is 33% higher than the national average
  • Cathedral City housing is 56% 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 Cathedral City

See all the best places to live around Cathedral City

Compare Cathedral City, CA Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$102,340$8,528$2,388$3,071
      Renters$50,443$4,204$1,177$1,513
      The affordability of the housing market in Cathedral City, CA as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Cathedral City homeowners, the median income is $102,340. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $2,388 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $50,443. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,177 for their rent related monthly costs.

      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%

      Goods & Services

      Item Cathedral City National avg. Difference
      Haircut $29.50$27.626.8%
      Beauty Salon $69.17$51.1135.3%
      Toothpaste $3.99$4.092.5%
      Shampoo $1.62$1.545.1%
      Movie $17.79$12.8838.1%
      Yoga $25.00$19.6627.2%

      Groceries

      Item Cathedral City National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $8.03$7.704.2%
      Fried Chicken $3.70$1.66122.6%
      Milk $5.20$4.739.9%
      Potatoes $4.85$5.267.7%
      Pizza $15.36$12.7620.4%
      Beer $11.40$10.558.1%

      Health Care

      Item Cathedral City National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $141.42$140.061.0%
      Doctor $160.00$153.824.0%
      Dentist $119.02$123.153.4%
      Ibuprofen $12.39$11.735.6%
      Lipitor $21.63$23.618.4%

      Housing

      Item Cathedral City National avg. Difference
      Home Price $545,306.00$326,622.0067.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,420.43$2,480.25118.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,876.00$1,444.0029.9%

      Transportation

      Item Cathedral City National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.57$3.0649.4%
      Tire Balancing $82.37$65.2126.3%

      Utilities

      Item Cathedral City National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $401.68$220.1282.5%
      Phone $182.71$195.716.6%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Mountain Center, CA1711818.1%
      Desert Edge, CA3,594981.8%
      Sky Valley, CA2,3281044.0%
      Thousand Palms, CA8,38811918.6%
      Whitewater, CA1,20211616.1%
      Cathedral City, CA56,62513332.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Berwyn, IL56,64211010.3%
      Highland, CA56,60613332.7%
      Hacienda Heights, CA56,60317473.8%
      Chicopee, MA56,6581076.7%
      Burlington, NC56,679937.5%
      Cathedral City, CA56,62513332.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.