Cost of Living in Imperial, CA
Population 20,943 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Imperial 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 — 8.5% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Imperial lies roughly 80 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 46% lower than El Cajon's $633,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Imperial
The median home value in Imperial is $344,700 — 13% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,396/month, 6% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $83,214/year is 12% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.5%, 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, Imperial has a cost of living index of 110 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% more 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 | 71 | 74 | 80 | 86 | 94 | 104 | 108 | 108 | 102 | 90 | 78 | 69 |
| Low °F | 42 | 45 | 51 | 56 | 62 | 70 | 78 | 79 | 72 | 60 | 48 | 41 |
| Precip" | 0.41 | 0.38 | 0.29 | 0.08 | 0.07 | 0.00 | 0.11 | 0.15 | 0.18 | 0.19 | 0.18 | 0.34 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Imperial, CA?
Imperial has a cost index of 110 (100 = national average). It is 10% above the national average.
What is average rent in Imperial, CA?
The median gross rent in Imperial is $1,396 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Imperial?
The median home value in Imperial is $344,700 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Imperial?
The median household income in Imperial is $83,214 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Imperial, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Imperial is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Imperial, CA affordable?
Imperial is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 110 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Imperial?
Imperial 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.
Imperial at a Glance
- Population
- 20,943
- Median Income
- $83,214
- Home Value
- $344,700
- Median Rent
- $1,396/mo
- Unemployment
- 8.5%
- Avg High Temp
- 88.6°F
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
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