Cost of Living in Thousand Palms, CA

Population 7,662 · California · Data vintage 2023

95
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Thousand Palms 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.

Geographically, Thousand Palms is about 50 miles east of Menifee, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 47% lower than Menifee's $487,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 85
Rent 109

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

About the Cost of Living in Thousand Palms

The median home value in Thousand Palms is $260,500 — 15% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,432/month, 9% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $80,280/year is 8% higher 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%. The climate averages highs of 88.9°F and lows of 62.3°F. Overall, Thousand Palms has a cost of living index of 95 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$260,500
15% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$245,101
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,432/mo
9% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.2x
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 78.5%
Renter-occupied 21.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,432
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,046/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
21.9 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.9%
Carpooled
11.6%
Walked
0.5%
Work from home
6.5%

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
$80,280
8% above avg
Per Capita Income
$31,465
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
13% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Labor Force Participation
58.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.7%
Graduate degree 7.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.3
Male median age 43.2
Female median age 35.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
88.9°F
Avg Low
62.3°F
Annual Precip
4.6"
40° 58° 75° 93° 110° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 7174818795104109108102917969
Low °F 485054596673798074655346
Precip" 1.141.110.510.090.020.000.250.140.240.200.230.68

💨 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 Thousand Palms, CA?

Thousand Palms has a cost index of 95 (100 = national average). It is 5% below the national average.

What is average rent in Thousand Palms, CA?

The median gross rent in Thousand Palms is $1,432 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Thousand Palms?

The median home value in Thousand Palms is $260,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Thousand Palms?

The median household income in Thousand Palms is $80,280 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Thousand Palms, CA?

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

Is Thousand Palms, CA affordable?

Thousand Palms is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 95 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Thousand Palms?

Thousand Palms has average high temperatures of 88.9°F and average lows of 62.3°F. Annual precipitation is 4.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Thousand Palms at a Glance

Population
7,662
Median Income
$80,280
Home Value
$260,500
Median Rent
$1,432/mo
Unemployment
4.2%
Avg High Temp
88.9°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

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