Cost of Living in Wrightwood, CA

With a cost of living index of 128, Wrightwood, CA is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 28% more expensive than the national average and 16% below the California state average of 144. Wrightwood is a small community of 4,907 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Wrightwood's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,668 (26% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $456,400 (50% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 5.8x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in Wrightwood is $78,496, which is 4% higher 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, 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.