Cost of Living in Heber, CA

Population 7,308 · California · Data vintage 2023

87
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 Heber a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $284,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.7% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Heber lies roughly 85 miles east of the nearest major metro, El Cajon — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 55% lower than El Cajon's $633,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 93
Rent 77

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

About the Cost of Living in Heber

The median home value in Heber is $284,300 — 7% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,015/month, 23% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $75,664/year is 1% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.7%, 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 88.6°F and lows of 58.7°F. Overall, Heber has a cost of living index of 87 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$284,300
7% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$203,842
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,015/mo
23% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3x
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 70.4%
Renter-occupied 29.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,015
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,629/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
19.9 min
26% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
85.7%
Carpooled
7.8%
Walked
0.7%
Work from home
4.1%

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
$75,664
1% above avg
Per Capita Income
$21,349
Unemployment Rate
6.7%
40% above avg
Poverty Rate
18.0%
Labor Force Participation
55.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.1%
Graduate degree 3.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 32.1
Male median age 31
Female median age 35

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
88.6°F
Avg Low
58.7°F
Annual Precip
2.4"
40° 58° 75° 93° 110° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 7174808694104108108102907869
Low °F 424551566270787972604841
Precip" 0.410.380.290.080.070.000.110.150.180.190.180.34

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 61 — Moderate
28.5%
Good air days/yr
506
Max AQI recorded
98
PM2.5 days
171
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Heber, CA?

Heber has a cost index of 87 (100 = national average). It is 13% below the national average.

What is average rent in Heber, CA?

The median gross rent in Heber is $1,015 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Heber?

The median home value in Heber is $284,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Heber?

The median household income in Heber is $75,664 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Heber, CA?

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

Is Heber, CA affordable?

Yes, Heber is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 87 — about 13% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Heber?

Heber has average high temperatures of 88.6°F and average lows of 58.7°F. Annual precipitation is 2.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Heber at a Glance

Population
7,308
Median Income
$75,664
Home Value
$284,300
Median Rent
$1,015/mo
Unemployment
6.7%
Avg High Temp
88.6°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in California →
🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs