Cost of Living in Joshua Tree, CA
Population 6,767 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Joshua Tree 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 — 7.1% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Joshua Tree is about 55 miles east of Moreno Valley, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 39% lower than Moreno Valley's $461,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Joshua Tree
The median home value in Joshua Tree is $280,600 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,191/month, 9% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $64,036/year is 14% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.1%, 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, Joshua Tree has a cost of living index of 91 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 9% less expensive.
Joshua Tree has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Joshua Tree, CA?
Joshua Tree has a cost index of 91 (100 = national average). It is 9% below the national average.
What is average rent in Joshua Tree, CA?
The median gross rent in Joshua Tree is $1,191 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Joshua Tree?
The median home value in Joshua Tree is $280,600 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Joshua Tree?
The median household income in Joshua Tree is $64,036 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Joshua Tree, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Joshua Tree is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Joshua Tree, CA affordable?
Joshua Tree is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 91 (100 = US average).
Joshua Tree at a Glance
- Population
- 6,767
- Median Income
- $64,036
- Home Value
- $280,600
- Median Rent
- $1,191/mo
- Unemployment
- 7.1%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
California Rankings
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