Cost of Living in Needles, CA
Population 4,882 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
At $39,876, median household incomes in Needles land roughly 47% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. A poverty rate near 29% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Needles lies roughly 85 miles south of the nearest major metro, Henderson — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 71% lower than Henderson's $465,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Needles
The median home value in Needles is $134,400 — 56% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $742/month, 44% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $39,876/year is 47% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 12.8%, 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 88.1°F and lows of 64.2°F. Overall, Needles has a cost of living index of 49 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 51% less expensive.
Needles 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
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 66 | 71 | 79 | 87 | 96 | 106 | 111 | 109 | 103 | 90 | 75 | 65 |
| Low °F | 46 | 49 | 54 | 61 | 70 | 80 | 87 | 85 | 77 | 65 | 53 | 45 |
| Precip" | 0.73 | 0.79 | 0.51 | 0.18 | 0.07 | 0.04 | 0.27 | 0.39 | 0.34 | 0.22 | 0.34 | 0.44 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Needles, CA?
Needles has a cost index of 49 (100 = national average). It is 51% below the national average.
What is average rent in Needles, CA?
The median gross rent in Needles is $742 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Needles?
The median home value in Needles is $134,400 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Needles?
The median household income in Needles is $39,876 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Needles, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Needles is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Needles, CA affordable?
Yes, Needles is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 49 — about 51% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Needles?
Needles has average high temperatures of 88.1°F and average lows of 64.2°F. Annual precipitation is 4.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Needles at a Glance
- Population
- 4,882
- Median Income
- $39,876
- Home Value
- $134,400
- Median Rent
- $742/mo
- Unemployment
- 12.8%
- Avg High Temp
- 88.1°F
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
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Explore county-level cost of living data
California Rankings
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