Cost of Living in Tehachapi, CA
Population 12,366 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Tehachapi 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. At 8.9%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.
Located 35 miles northwest of Lancaster, Tehachapi falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 16% lower than Lancaster's $409,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Tehachapi
The median home value in Tehachapi is $344,700 — 13% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,278/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $67,785/year is 9% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.9%, 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, Tehachapi has a cost of living index of 107 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 7% more expensive.
🏠 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 Tehachapi, CA?
Tehachapi has a cost index of 107 (100 = national average). It is 7% above the national average.
What is average rent in Tehachapi, CA?
The median gross rent in Tehachapi is $1,278 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Tehachapi?
The median home value in Tehachapi is $344,700 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Tehachapi?
The median household income in Tehachapi is $67,785 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Tehachapi, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Tehachapi is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is Tehachapi, CA affordable?
Tehachapi is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 107 (100 = US average).
Tehachapi at a Glance
- Population
- 12,366
- Median Income
- $67,785
- Home Value
- $344,700
- Median Rent
- $1,278/mo
- Unemployment
- 8.9%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
California Rankings
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