salaryRent is lower than in 69% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.3 years of household income. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,960 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 45 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Barstow?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Barstow
| Size | Barstow | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $763 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $955 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,110 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,390 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,538 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Barstow overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Barstow, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Barstow
Life in Barstow
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Barstow?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $401 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $245,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $24,500 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Barstow, CA?
Renting in Barstow costs a median of about $1,299 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Barstow?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,960 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Barstow cheap or expensive?
Barstow is rated OK: rent takes 27.1% of the typical household income of $57,570. It ranks 45th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Barstow?
The median homeowner in Barstow pays $1,673 a year in property taxes, about 0.68% of the median home value.
Is Barstow more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Barstow?
The median home value in Barstow is $245,000, about 4.3 times the typical yearly household income.
25,100 people live in Barstow. Numbers are typical (middle) values.