Cost of Living in Bear Valley Springs, CA

Population 5,787 · California · Data vintage 2023

133
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Bear Valley Springs a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $479,000.

Geographically, Bear Valley Springs sits roughly 25 miles southeast of Bakersfield. Median home values run roughly 38% higher than Bakersfield's $347,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 157
Rent 97

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Bear Valley Springs

The median home value in Bear Valley Springs is $478,900 — 57% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,272/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $121,069/year is 62% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, below 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, Bear Valley Springs has a cost of living index of 133 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% more expensive.

🌲

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$478,900
57% above avg
Median Rent
$1,272/mo
3% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
31.4x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,195
1 BR
$1,241
2 BR
$1,544
3 BR
$2,163
4 BR
$2,556
Owner-occupied 94.6%
Renter-occupied 5.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,272
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,886/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
43.3 min
60% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.8%
Carpooled
17.3%
Walked
0.2%
Work from home
13.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 13.3%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 7.3%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$121,069
62% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,722
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
22% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Labor Force Participation
44.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 28.1%
Graduate degree 13.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 54.9
Male median age 57.1
Female median age 53.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 69 — Moderate
23.3%
Good air days/yr
174
Max AQI recorded
135
PM2.5 days
217
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bear Valley Springs, CA?

Bear Valley Springs has a cost index of 133 (100 = national average). It is 33% above the national average.

What is average rent in Bear Valley Springs, CA?

The median gross rent in Bear Valley Springs is $1,272 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bear Valley Springs?

The median home value in Bear Valley Springs is $478,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Bear Valley Springs?

The median household income in Bear Valley Springs is $121,069 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bear Valley Springs, CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bear Valley Springs is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Bear Valley Springs, CA affordable?

Bear Valley Springs is above average in cost of living, with an index of 133 — about 33% higher than the national average.

Bear Valley Springs at a Glance

Population
5,787
Median Income
$121,069
Home Value
$478,900
Median Rent
$1,272/mo
Unemployment
3.8%
Sales Tax
8.7%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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