salaryRent is lower than in 57% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 16.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $60,680 a year. That is $29 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 90 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Ridgecrest?
Share of households by yearly income. 31.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Ridgecrest
| Size | Ridgecrest | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $914 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $886 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,145 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,476 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,034 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Ridgecrest
Life in Ridgecrest
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Ridgecrest?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $245 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $253,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,390 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Ridgecrest, CA?
Renting in Ridgecrest costs a median of about $1,517 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Ridgecrest?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $60,680 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Ridgecrest cheap or expensive?
Ridgecrest is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.9% of the typical household income of $96,256. It ranks 90th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Ridgecrest?
The median homeowner in Ridgecrest pays $2,448 a year in property taxes, about 0.96% of the median home value.
Is Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest?
The median home value in Ridgecrest is $253,900, about 2.6 times the typical yearly household income.
28,225 people live in Ridgecrest. Numbers are typical (middle) values.