Cost of Living in Taft, CA
Population 7,228 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Taft is a smaller California community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $64,479 and housing costs ($246,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.
Taft is about 25 miles southwest of Bakersfield, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 29% lower than Bakersfield's $347,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Taft
The median home value in Taft is $246,400 — 19% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $989/month, 25% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $64,479/year is 14% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.2%, below 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, Taft has a cost of living index of 79 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 21% less expensive.
Taft 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 Taft, CA?
Taft has a cost index of 79 (100 = national average). It is 21% below the national average.
What is average rent in Taft, CA?
The median gross rent in Taft is $989 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Taft?
The median home value in Taft is $246,400 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Taft?
The median household income in Taft is $64,479 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Taft, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Taft is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Taft, CA affordable?
Yes, Taft is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 79 — about 21% below the US national average of 100.
Taft at a Glance
- Population
- 7,228
- Median Income
- $64,479
- Home Value
- $246,400
- Median Rent
- $989/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.2%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
California Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs