Cost of Living in Barstow, CA
Cost of Living in Barstow, CA has an overall index of 97, 3% below the U.S. baseline of 100. The typical home value is $261,106; typical monthly rent is $1,065; and median household income is $51,811.
Cost index: committed city housing/rent inputs and BEA 2024 metro-area price parities. Home value: Zillow ZHVI market signal as of 2026-02. Rent: Census ACS 2023 fallback place estimate. A place-level signal, not a personal affordability decision or financial recommendation.
Home prices are the main source of pressure. This describes the local market, not your household.
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Frequently asked questions about Barstow
Living in Barstow
What is the cost of living like in Barstow, CA?+
Living costs in Barstow land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 97 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $261,106, and typical monthly rents are $1,065. Groceries and utilities are in line with what you would find in most US cities.
How does Barstow fit a household housing budget?+
Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,065, while local median household income is $51,811. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 25% before utilities and other costs. Use that as a planning signal for whether the place looks manageable under your own household assumptions.
How much are taxes in Barstow, CA?+
California uses a progressive model; 13.3% is top marginal-rate context. Applying the 0.71% state-level effective owner-occupied proxy to a home worth $261,106 gives a planning estimate near $1,854 per year; it is not a city, county, parcel, or individual tax bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is around 8.85%.
How much does it cost to rent in Barstow, CA?+
The typical monthly rent in Barstow is around $1,065. That's roughly 21% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $261,106, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.
How much does a house cost in Barstow, CA?+
The typical home value in Barstow is $261,106. With 20% down and the committed 6.11% national 30-year fixed benchmark as of 2026-03-12, principal and interest are roughly $1,267/month before property tax and insurance. This is a planning estimate, not a local lender quote. About 46% of residents here own their homes.
Are groceries and utilities expensive in Barstow?+
Grocery prices in Barstow are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 101, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are on the high side (index: 149). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.
What is Barstow, CA like to live in?+
Barstow is a small town with a population of about 25,198. The median age of residents is 32.9, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 23.23%, above the national average of 12.4%.