Cost of Living in Blythe, CA
Population 17,824 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Blythe 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. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.6% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Blythe lies roughly 125 miles west of the nearest major metro, Surprise — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 49% lower than Surprise's $396,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Blythe
The median home value in Blythe is $203,800 — 33% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $900/month, 32% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,984/year is 30% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.6%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 88.2°F and lows of 60.5°F. Overall, Blythe has a cost of living index of 67 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% 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
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 68 | 72 | 80 | 87 | 96 | 105 | 109 | 108 | 102 | 90 | 77 | 66 |
| Low °F | 43 | 46 | 52 | 57 | 65 | 73 | 82 | 82 | 74 | 61 | 49 | 42 |
| Precip" | 0.53 | 0.62 | 0.48 | 0.09 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 0.26 | 0.40 | 0.32 | 0.16 | 0.21 | 0.43 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Blythe, CA?
Blythe has a cost index of 67 (100 = national average). It is 33% below the national average.
What is average rent in Blythe, CA?
The median gross rent in Blythe is $900 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Blythe?
The median home value in Blythe is $203,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Blythe?
The median household income in Blythe is $51,984 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Blythe, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Blythe is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Blythe, CA affordable?
Yes, Blythe is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 67 — about 33% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Blythe?
Blythe has average high temperatures of 88.2°F and average lows of 60.5°F. Annual precipitation is 3.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Blythe at a Glance
- Population
- 17,824
- Median Income
- $51,984
- Home Value
- $203,800
- Median Rent
- $900/mo
- Unemployment
- 8.6%
- Avg High Temp
- 88.2°F
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
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