Cost of Living in Bishop, CA

Population 3,793 · California · Data vintage 2023

123
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Bishop is a smaller California community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $82,205 and housing costs ($406,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.3% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Bishop lies roughly 80 miles northeast of the nearest major metro, Clovis — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 11% lower than Clovis' $453,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 133
Rent 109

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

About the Cost of Living in Bishop

The median home value in Bishop is $405,700 — 33% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,431/month, 9% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,205/year is 10% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.3%, 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, Bishop has a cost of living index of 123 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 23% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$405,700
33% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$575,110
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,431/mo
9% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.6x
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 56.3%
Renter-occupied 43.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,431
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,045/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
16.7 min
38% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
58.3%
Carpooled
8.2%
Public transit
1.1%
Walked
12.8%
Bicycle
8.3%
Work from home
10.2%

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
$82,205
10% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,267
Unemployment Rate
0.3%
95% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.0%
Labor Force Participation
69.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.4%
Graduate degree 16.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 50.5
Male median age 53.4
Female median age 46.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 61 — Moderate
29%
Good air days/yr
786
Max AQI recorded
123
PM2.5 days
202
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bishop, CA?

Bishop has a cost index of 123 (100 = national average). It is 23% above the national average.

What is average rent in Bishop, CA?

The median gross rent in Bishop is $1,431 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bishop?

The median home value in Bishop is $405,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bishop?

The median household income in Bishop is $82,205 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bishop, CA?

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

Is Bishop, CA affordable?

Bishop is above average in cost of living, with an index of 123 — about 23% higher than the national average.

Bishop at a Glance

Population
3,793
Median Income
$82,205
Home Value
$405,700
Median Rent
$1,431/mo
Unemployment
0.3%
Sales Tax
8.7%
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🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

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