Cost of Living in Apple Valley, CA

With a cost of living index of 110, Apple Valley, CA is somewhat more expensive than average. Living here is 10% more expensive than the national average and 34% below the California state average of 144. With a population of 75,478, Apple Valley is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Apple Valley's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,373 (4% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $377,300 (24% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 5.7x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in Apple Valley is $65,926, which is 12% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 25% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

Everyday prices in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.