Cost of Living in Rough and Ready, CA

With a cost of living index of 126, Rough and Ready, CA is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 26% more expensive than the national average and 18% below the California state average of 144. Rough and Ready is a small community of 659 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Rough and Ready's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,098 (17% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $659,900 (116% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.6x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Rough and Ready is $100,417, which is 34% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 13% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they more than offset the higher cost of living.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to Rough and Ready. The area sees an average annual temperature of 52.2°F, with summers averaging 67°F and winters around 40°F. Annual rainfall totals 62.4 inches spread over roughly 90 days.

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.