Cost of Living in Ridgecrest, FL

Population 3,288 · Florida · 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

Under 25,000 residents gives Ridgecrest a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $302,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 11.7% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Ridgecrest sits roughly 7 miles south of Clearwater — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Clearwater's $326,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 99
Rent 90

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

About the Cost of Living in Ridgecrest

The median home value in Ridgecrest is $301,700 — 1% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,186/month, 10% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,383/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 11.7%, above the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 82.0°F and lows of 65.8°F. Overall, Ridgecrest has a cost of living index of 95 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$301,700
1% below avg
Median Rent
$1,186/mo
10% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.2x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,085
1 BR
$1,181
2 BR
$1,427
3 BR
$1,797
4 BR
$2,099
Owner-occupied 80.4%
Renter-occupied 19.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,186
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,800/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
28.0 min
4% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
87.4%
Carpooled
4.0%
Work from home
7.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 1.1%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$50,383
32% below avg
Per Capita Income
$19,418
Unemployment Rate
11.7%
143% above avg
Poverty Rate
21.8%
Labor Force Participation
58.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 7.5%
Graduate degree 4.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.9
Male median age 25.6
Female median age 41.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
82.0°F
Avg Low
65.8°F
Annual Precip
53.6"
50° 63° 75° 88° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 717377828790909189847773
Low °F 535559647075767675706156
Precip" 2.622.382.432.572.738.869.738.836.402.491.642.94

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 47 — Good
59.5%
Good air days/yr
113
Max AQI recorded
237
PM2.5 days
125
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ridgecrest, FL?

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

What is average rent in Ridgecrest, FL?

The median gross rent in Ridgecrest is $1,186 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ridgecrest?

The median home value in Ridgecrest is $301,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Ridgecrest?

The median household income in Ridgecrest is $50,383 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ridgecrest, FL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ridgecrest is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.

Is Ridgecrest, FL affordable?

Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest?

Ridgecrest has average high temperatures of 82.0°F and average lows of 65.8°F. Annual precipitation is 53.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Ridgecrest at a Glance

Population
3,288
Median Income
$50,383
Home Value
$301,700
Median Rent
$1,186/mo
Unemployment
11.7%
Avg High Temp
82.0°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
View all cities in Florida →
🗺️ County data for Florida

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs