Cost of Living in Benton Park, CA

Population 5,682 · California · Data vintage 2023

82
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Benton Park is a smaller California community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $62,475 and housing costs ($231,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Around 33% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located <5 miles southeast of Bakersfield, Benton Park falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 34% lower than Bakersfield's $347,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 76
Rent 91

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

About the Cost of Living in Benton Park

The median home value in Benton Park is $230,600 — 24% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,190/month, 9% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $62,475/year is 16% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.4%, 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, Benton Park has a cost of living index of 82 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$230,600
24% below avg
Median Rent
$1,190/mo
9% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.1x
Favors buying
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 64.2%
Renter-occupied 35.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,190
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,804/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
23.2 min
14% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.8%
Carpooled
14.0%
Public transit
1.0%
Walked
2.4%
Work from home
3.4%

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
$62,475
16% below avg
Per Capita Income
$20,605
Unemployment Rate
6.4%
34% above avg
Poverty Rate
32.8%
Labor Force Participation
63.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 7.0%
Graduate degree 0.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 25.3
Male median age 25.3
Female median age 25.2

💨 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 Benton Park, CA?

Benton Park has a cost index of 82 (100 = national average). It is 18% below the national average.

What is average rent in Benton Park, CA?

The median gross rent in Benton Park is $1,190 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Benton Park?

The median home value in Benton Park is $230,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Benton Park?

The median household income in Benton Park is $62,475 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Benton Park, CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Benton Park is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Benton Park, CA affordable?

Yes, Benton Park is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 82 — about 18% below the US national average of 100.