Cost of Living in Wrightwood, CA

Population 4,907 · California · Data vintage 2023

141
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Wrightwood 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. An unemployment rate of 2.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Wrightwood sits roughly 15 miles north of Rancho Cucamonga — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 34% lower than Rancho Cucamonga's $694,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 150
Rent 127

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

About the Cost of Living in Wrightwood

The median home value in Wrightwood is $456,400 — 50% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,668/month, 27% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $78,496/year is 5% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.7%, 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, Wrightwood has a cost of living index of 141 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 41% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$456,400
50% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$433,167
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,668/mo
27% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8x
Favors renting
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 78.4%
Renter-occupied 21.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,668
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,282/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
41.4 min
53% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.6%
Carpooled
2.2%
Walked
2.2%
Work from home
19.4%

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
$78,496
5% above avg
Per Capita Income
$52,949
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
44% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Labor Force Participation
51.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.8%
Graduate degree 20.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 48.7
Male median age 45.9
Female median age 51.8

💨 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 Wrightwood, CA?

Wrightwood has a cost index of 141 (100 = national average). It is 41% above the national average.

What is average rent in Wrightwood, CA?

The median gross rent in Wrightwood is $1,668 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Wrightwood?

The median home value in Wrightwood is $456,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Wrightwood?

The median household income in Wrightwood is $78,496 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wrightwood, CA?

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

Is Wrightwood, CA affordable?

Wrightwood is above average in cost of living, with an index of 141 — about 41% higher than the national average.