Cost of Living in Twentynine Palms, CA

Population 28,738 · California · Data vintage 2023

86
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Twentynine Palms lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $238,000 — 22% below the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in California.

Located 65 miles east of Moreno Valley, Twentynine Palms is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 48% lower than Moreno Valley's $461,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 78
Rent 97

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

About the Cost of Living in Twentynine Palms

The median home value in Twentynine Palms is $238,400 — 22% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,271/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,000/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, 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, Twentynine Palms has a cost of living index of 86 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$238,400
22% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$247,998
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,271/mo
3% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,464/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.6x
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 37.5%
Renter-occupied 62.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,271
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,885/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
16.8 min
38% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.0%
Carpooled
8.3%
Public transit
0.0%
Walked
14.2%
Bicycle
0.0%
Work from home
8.2%

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
$56,000
25% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,241
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
11% below avg
Poverty Rate
15.4%
Labor Force Participation
71.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.8%
Graduate degree 6.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 24.6
Male median age 23.5
Female median age 25.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 71 — Moderate
13.7%
Good air days/yr
214
Max AQI recorded
137
PM2.5 days
205
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Twentynine Palms, CA?

Twentynine Palms has a cost index of 86 (100 = national average). It is 14% below the national average.

What is average rent in Twentynine Palms, CA?

The median gross rent in Twentynine Palms is $1,271 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Twentynine Palms?

The median home value in Twentynine Palms is $238,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Twentynine Palms?

The median household income in Twentynine Palms is $56,000 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Twentynine Palms, CA?

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

Is Twentynine Palms, CA affordable?

Yes, Twentynine Palms is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 86 — about 14% below the US national average of 100.

Twentynine Palms at a Glance

Population
28,738
Median Income
$56,000
Home Value
$238,400
Median Rent
$1,271/mo
Unemployment
4.3%
Sales Tax
8.7%
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🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

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