Cost of Living in Lamont, CA

Population 13,481 · California · Data vintage 2023

71
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $34,436, median household incomes in Lamont land roughly 54% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Lamont sits roughly 9 miles southeast of Bakersfield — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 39% lower than Bakersfield's $347,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 69
Rent 75

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

About the Cost of Living in Lamont

The median home value in Lamont is $210,700 — 31% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $982/month, 25% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $34,436/year is 54% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.3%, 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, Lamont has a cost of living index of 71 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$210,700
31% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$241,127
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$982/mo
25% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.9x
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 45.5%
Renter-occupied 54.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$982
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,596/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
24.8 min
8% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.4%
Carpooled
13.8%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
0.7%
Work from home
4.2%

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
$34,436
54% below avg
Per Capita Income
$14,691
Unemployment Rate
9.3%
92% above avg
Poverty Rate
34.9%
Labor Force Participation
59.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 3.1%
Graduate degree 0.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31
Male median age 30.3
Female median age 31.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 69 — Moderate
23.3%
Good air days/yr
174
Max AQI recorded
135
PM2.5 days
217
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lamont, CA?

Lamont has a cost index of 71 (100 = national average). It is 29% below the national average.

What is average rent in Lamont, CA?

The median gross rent in Lamont is $982 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lamont?

The median home value in Lamont is $210,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Lamont?

The median household income in Lamont is $34,436 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lamont, CA?

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

Is Lamont, CA affordable?

Yes, Lamont is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 71 — about 29% below the US national average of 100.