Cost of Living in Buttonwillow, CA

With a cost of living index of 87, Buttonwillow, CA is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 13% cheaper than the national average and 57% below the California state average of 144. Buttonwillow is a small community of 1,251 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Buttonwillow's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,100 (17% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $215,200 (29% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.1x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Buttonwillow is $35,417, which is 53% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 37% of household income on rent. This exceeds the recommended 30% threshold, meaning many renters here are cost-burdened. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Everyday prices in the Bakersfield-Delano, 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.