Cost of Living in Mecca, CA

Population 7,071 · 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

Mecca's median household income of $45,011 is a meaningful share below the national figure, which shapes most of the downstream economic indicators — from housing affordability to the share of residents living below the poverty line (19% here). At 7.3%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 60 miles east of Temecula, Mecca is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 65% lower than Temecula's $640,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 73
Rent 68

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

About the Cost of Living in Mecca

The median home value in Mecca is $222,000 — 27% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $900/month, 32% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $45,011/year is 40% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.3%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 88.7°F and lows of 56.3°F. Overall, Mecca has a cost of living index of 71 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$222,000
27% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$408,172
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$900/mo
32% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.6x
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 53.0%
Renter-occupied 47.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$900
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,514/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
28.5 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.5%
Carpooled
24.6%
Walked
1.6%
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
$45,011
40% below avg
Per Capita Income
$19,529
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
52% above avg
Poverty Rate
19.3%
Labor Force Participation
68.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 4.3%
0

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.2
Male median age 34
Female median age 32.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
88.7°F
Avg Low
56.3°F
Annual Precip
3"
Annual Snowfall
0"
30° 50° 70° 90° 110° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 7174818795103107106102917969
Low °F 394349556369767568574538
Precip" 0.640.610.340.080.010.010.130.120.320.190.170.34

💨 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 Mecca, CA?

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

What is average rent in Mecca, CA?

The median gross rent in Mecca is $900 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mecca?

The median home value in Mecca is $222,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mecca?

The median household income in Mecca is $45,011 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mecca, CA?

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

Is Mecca, CA affordable?

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

What is the weather like in Mecca?

Mecca has average high temperatures of 88.7°F and average lows of 56.3°F. Annual precipitation is 3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Mecca at a Glance

Population
7,071
Median Income
$45,011
Home Value
$222,000
Median Rent
$900/mo
Unemployment
7.3%
Avg High Temp
88.7°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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Explore county-level cost of living data