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Joshua Tree, CA

High Pressure

The cost of living in Joshua Tree, CA is 8% above the national average (Cost Index: 108). Homes here are typically valued around $339,421, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $64,036 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

Joshua Tree already reads as a high-pressure housing market, with 22% rent burden, 5.3x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 112. Treat this page as a stress test for rent, mortgage, and tax burden before assuming the move works.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Stretch

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Joshua Tree.

Monthly Housing
$1,191/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
22%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$3,645/mo
After housing and debt · $1,215/person
Rent vs Buy
Rent first
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ZILLOWRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 32%
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Cost Index
108
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$339,421
Zillow ZHVI Market Rate • Census ACS: $280,600
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,191/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$64,036
National: $78,538
Population
6,767
Purchasing Power
75
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
112 / 100
12% above average
Rent Index
88 / 100
12% below average
Goods & Groceries
101 / 100
About the same as most US cities
Utilities
149 / 100
49% higher utility bills
Healthcare & Services
101 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
108
Average

Joshua Tree Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $339,421 and California's property tax rate of 0.71%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$64,036
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
22%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
5.3x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Joshua Tree looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Joshua Tree, CA

Est. Annual Property Tax
$2,410
Monthly Impact
$201
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.71%
National avg: ~1.00%

California Place Tax Context

Tax TypeCaliforniaNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.71%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate13.3%~5.0%
State Sales Tax8.85%~5.0%

Compare Joshua Tree to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Joshua Tree, CA
108
88
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Joshua Tree, CA: 112
Rent Prices
88

FAQ: Living in Joshua Tree

What is the cost of living like in Joshua Tree, CA?+

Living costs in Joshua Tree land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 108 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $339,421, and typical monthly rents run around $1,191. Groceries and utilities are in line with what you would find in most US cities.

How does Joshua Tree fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,191, while local median household income is $64,036. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 22% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Joshua Tree, CA?+

California has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 13.3%. The effective property tax rate is 0.71%. On a home worth $339,421, that translates to roughly $2,410 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 8.85% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Joshua Tree, CA?+

The typical monthly rent in Joshua Tree is around $1,191. That's roughly 12% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $339,421, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Joshua Tree, CA?+

The median home in Joshua Tree is valued at $339,421. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,716/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 68% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Joshua Tree?+

Grocery prices in Joshua Tree 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 Joshua Tree, CA like to live in?+

Joshua Tree is a small town with a population of about 6,767. The median age of residents is 40.8, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 22.56%, above the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in California

If Joshua Tree feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in California

Use these city pages when you want to compare Joshua Tree against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly