salaryRent is higher than in 54% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 14.8 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $69,760 a year. That is $34 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 140 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Mammoth Lakes?
Share of households by yearly income. 35.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Mammoth Lakes
| Size | Mammoth Lakes | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $995 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,560 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,882 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,756 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Mammoth Lakes 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 Mammoth Lakes, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Mammoth Lakes
Life in Mammoth Lakes
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Mammoth Lakes?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,270 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $866,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $86,670 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Mammoth Lakes, CA?
Renting in Mammoth Lakes costs a median of about $1,744 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Mammoth Lakes?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $69,760 a year, or $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Mammoth Lakes cheap or expensive?
Mammoth Lakes is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.8% of the typical household income of $105,753. It ranks 140th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Mammoth Lakes?
The median homeowner in Mammoth Lakes pays $4,591 a year in property taxes, about 0.53% of the median home value.
Is Mammoth Lakes 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 Mammoth Lakes?
The median home value in Mammoth Lakes is $866,700, about 8.2 times the typical yearly household income.
7,214 people live in Mammoth Lakes. Numbers are typical (middle) values.