F
26%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
47%
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 Indio California National
Cost of living126141100
Groceries110111100
Health care119116100
Housing147197100
Transportation116118100
Utilities121119100
Lifestyle & Entertainment118120100
Household Items113111100
Education & Childcare129127100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Indio, CA

Understanding the cost of living in Indio 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 Indio cost of living index is 126, which is 26% 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.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Indio may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Indio falls within this bracket.

When it comes to the cost of living in Indio, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 46.6% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday household expenses like cleaning products, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics can quickly add up over time and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Indio, you can expect to spend 13.1% more than average on these recurring essentials, which increases your overall monthly cost of living.

Is Indio Affordable?

Is Indio 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 Indio, the median home price is 58.9% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 17.9% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Indio come in at $79,076, which is 2.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Indio?

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.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Indio, the housing index comes in at 46.6% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Indio, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 7.25%, and income tax rates start at 1%.

Where is the Data From?

The Indio 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 Indio is 11% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in Indio is 26% higher than the national average
  • Indio housing is 47% 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 Indio

See all the best places to live around Indio

Compare Indio, CA Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$89,144$7,429$2,080$2,675
      Renters$51,176$4,265$1,194$1,535
      The affordability of the housing market in Indio, 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 Indio homeowners, the median income is $89,144. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $2,080 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $51,176. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,194 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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Desert Edge, CA3,594936.6%
      Sky Valley, CA2,3281033.0%
      Thermal, CA1,4061033.0%
      Mecca, CA5,7631054.8%
      Thousand Palms, CA8,38811414.4%
      Indio, CA92,31112625.9%

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      Germantown, MD92,22913434.4%
      Town 'n' Country, FL92,5431087.6%
      Bellingham, WA92,70213737.1%
      Conroe, TX91,8961032.9%
      Miami Beach, FL92,94813837.6%
      Indio, CA92,31112625.9%
      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.