| Index | La Quinta | California | National |
| Cost of living | 139 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 112 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 114 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 196 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 112 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 119 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 119 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 122 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in La Quinta? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in La Quinta stands at 139, making it 39% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, La Quinta 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, La Quinta falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the La Quinta cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 96.3% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Recurring household expenses such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics are a steady part of monthly spending and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In La Quinta, these everyday items will cost you 11.1% more than average, making it a slightly more expensive place to call home.
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 La Quinta, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 11.6% higher than the national average.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 10 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in La Quinta. The feedback revealed that 60% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 40% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is La Quinta 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 La Quinta, the median home price is 118.3% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 45.2% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in La Quinta come in at $113,853, which is 40% higher than the national average.
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 La Quinta, the transportation index is 12.2% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In La Quinta, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates kick off at 1%.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In La Quinta, the housing index is 96.3% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for La Quinta shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $133,796 | $11,150 | $3,122 | $4,014 |
| Renters | $74,263 | $6,189 | $1,733 | $2,228 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Oasis, CA | 2,614 | 90 | 10.4% |
| Desert Edge, CA | 3,594 | 93 | 6.6% |
| Thermal, CA | 1,406 | 103 | 3.0% |
| Mecca, CA | 5,763 | 105 | 4.8% |
| Thousand Palms, CA | 8,388 | 114 | 14.4% |
| La Quinta, CA | 42,775 | 139 | 39.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Delaware, OH | 42,781 | 99 | 0.5% |
| Grove City, OH | 42,755 | 101 | 1.1% |
| Catonsville, MD | 42,742 | 124 | 23.8% |
| Rancho Palos Verdes, CA | 42,809 | 242 | 142.0% |
| Bell Gardens, CA | 42,827 | 139 | 39.0% |
| La Quinta, CA | 42,775 | 139 | 39.3% |
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