Cost of Living in Arvin, CA
Population 19,478 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Arvin sits on the smaller end of the California city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. A poverty rate near 32% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Arvin sits roughly 15 miles southeast of Bakersfield — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 29% lower than Bakersfield's $347,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Arvin
The median home value in Arvin is $247,800 — 19% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,089/month, 17% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,984/year is 33% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 11.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Arvin has a cost of living index of 82 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Arvin, CA?
Arvin has a cost index of 82 (100 = national average). It is 18% below the national average.
What is average rent in Arvin, CA?
The median gross rent in Arvin is $1,089 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Arvin?
The median home value in Arvin is $247,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Arvin?
The median household income in Arvin is $49,984 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Arvin, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Arvin is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Arvin, CA affordable?
Yes, Arvin is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 82 — about 18% below the US national average of 100.
Arvin at a Glance
- Population
- 19,478
- Median Income
- $49,984
- Home Value
- $247,800
- Median Rent
- $1,089/mo
- Unemployment
- 11.8%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
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California Rankings
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