Cost of Living in Hemet, CA

Population 90,646 · California · Data vintage 2023

105
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

A 39-minute average commute puts Hemet squarely in exurban territory — the kind of place where many households optimize for housing cost over proximity to work. Home values of $314,000 reflect that spatial discount. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Hemet sits roughly 11 miles east of Menifee. Median home values run roughly 36% lower than Menifee's $487,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 103
Rent 109

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

About the Cost of Living in Hemet

The median home value in Hemet is $314,200 — 3% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,432/month, 9% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,623/year is 28% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.3%, 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, Hemet has a cost of living index of 105 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$314,200
3% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$440,755
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,432/mo
9% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,960/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.3x
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 63.1%
Renter-occupied 36.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,432
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,046/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
39.1 min
45% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.1%
Carpooled
13.9%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
0.9%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
9.2%

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
$53,623
28% below avg
Per Capita Income
$28,255
Unemployment Rate
8.3%
72% above avg
Poverty Rate
16.0%
Labor Force Participation
49.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.3%
Graduate degree 4.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.7
Male median age 38.4
Female median age 41.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 79 — Moderate
17%
Good air days/yr
660
Max AQI recorded
98
PM2.5 days
207
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Hemet, CA?

Hemet has a cost index of 105 (100 = national average). It is 5% above the national average.

What is average rent in Hemet, CA?

The median gross rent in Hemet is $1,432 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Hemet?

The median home value in Hemet is $314,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Hemet?

The median household income in Hemet is $53,623 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Hemet, CA?

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

Is Hemet, CA affordable?

Hemet is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 105 (100 = US average).