D
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
12%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
16%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; 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 Desert Hot Springs California National
Cost of living112140100
Goods & Services112111100
Groceries113112100
Health care99109100
Housing116196100
Transportation124126100
Utilities94127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Desert Hot Springs, CA

Knowing the cost of living in Desert Hot Springs allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Desert Hot Springs stands at 112, marking it 12% higher than the national average.

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, Desert Hot Springs goods and services are 12% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Desert Hot Springs is no exception, where grocery prices are 13.1% above the national average.

Is Desert Hot Springs Affordable?

Is Desert Hot Springs 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 Desert Hot Springs, the median home price is 18% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 10.2% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Desert Hot Springs come in at $37,818, which is 31.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Desert Hot Springs?

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Desert Hot Springs, the utilities index stands at 5.9% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Desert Hot Springs, the transportation index is 23.9% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Desert Hot Springs, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Desert Hot Springs is 20% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in Desert Hot Springs is 12% higher than the national average
  • Desert Hot Springs housing is 16% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 56% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Desert Hot Springs

See all the best places to live around Desert Hot Springs

Compare Desert Hot Springs, CA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      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$54,601$4,550$1,274$1,638
      Renters$28,194$2,350$658$846
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Desert Hot Springs 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. Desert Hot Springs has a median income of about $54,601 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,274 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $28,194. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $658 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% 12.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item Desert Hot Springs National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.27$24.2612.4%
      Beauty Salon $41.78$45.568.3%
      Toothpaste $3.61$3.702.6%
      Shampoo $1.34$1.284.9%
      Movie $11.04$12.139.0%
      Bowling $21.11$18.0017.3%

      Groceries

      Item Desert Hot Springs National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.89$5.840.8%
      Fried Chicken $3.49$1.57121.9%
      Milk $4.92$4.675.4%
      Potatoes $4.92$4.930.3%
      Pizza $15.31$12.0926.6%
      Beer $10.26$10.411.4%

      Health Care

      Item Desert Hot Springs National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $112.92$125.6810.2%
      Doctor $95.50$135.7829.7%
      Dentist $117.28$113.293.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.58$10.650.7%
      Lipitor $521.17$468.6011.2%

      Housing

      Item Desert Hot Springs National avg. Difference
      Home Price $218,000.00$184,700.0018.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,441.43$2,346.694.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,046.00$949.0010.2%

      Transportation

      Item Desert Hot Springs National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.75$3.4637.3%
      Tire Balancing $61.38$59.922.4%

      Utilities

      Item Desert Hot Springs National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $378.97$193.9995.4%
      Phone $180.31$192.256.2%
      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.
      Sky Valley, CA2,274991.5%
      Joshua Tree, CA7,7861054.8%
      Morongo Valley, CA3,1661066.1%
      Yucca Valley, CA21,7011098.8%
      Thousand Palms, CA8,15811010.3%
      Desert Hot Springs, CA29,28011212.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Carlsbad, NM29,278955.5%
      Jamestown, NY29,2908416.2%
      Fortuna Foothills, AZ29,297963.9%
      Eagle Pass, TX29,3078811.9%
      Central, LA29,2351054.7%
      Desert Hot Springs, CA29,28011212.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.