Home / Compare / Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) vs Fort Irwin

Cottonwood CDP (Kern County), CA vs Fort Irwin, CA

86
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County)
California
VS
-23%
111
Fort Irwin
California

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) is 23% cheaper than Fort Irwin. With a cost index of 86 vs 111, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) to Fort Irwin should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

Renters will find that Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) has a median rent of $947/month while Fort Irwin comes in at $1,601/month, a 41% difference.

Median household income in Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) is $40,339 compared to $66,964 in Fort Irwin (-39.8%). While Fort Irwin is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) spend roughly 28.2% of their income on rent, less than the 28.7% in Fort Irwin.

Income & Cost

Cost of Living Index
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County)
86
23% cheaper
Fort Irwin
111
Median Household Income
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County)
$40,339
Fort Irwin
$66,964
40% higher

Housing

Median Rent
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County)
$947
41% cheaper
Fort Irwin
$1,601
Median Home Value
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County)
$256,400
Fort Irwin
Population
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County)
3,102
Fort Irwin
8,791

Salary Equivalency Calculator

What does your salary in one city buy you in the other?

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Rent by Bedroom Size

HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average

Studio
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $1,440
Fort Irwin $2,020
29% cheaper
1 Bed
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $1,630
Fort Irwin $2,148
24% cheaper
2 Bed
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $2,070
Fort Irwin $2,675
23% cheaper
3 Bed
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $2,650
Fort Irwin $3,520
25% cheaper
4 Bed
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $2,920
Fort Irwin $4,178
30% cheaper

Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

Gasoline (regular)
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $3.22
Fort Irwin $3.13
US $3.07
🥚
Eggs (grade A, large)
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $2.62
Fort Irwin $2.55
US $2.50
🥛
Milk (whole)
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $4.22
Fort Irwin $4.11
US $4.03
🍞
Bread (white)
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $1.94
Fort Irwin $1.89
US $1.85
🍗
Chicken breast
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $4.35
Fort Irwin $4.22
US $4.14
Electricity
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $0.28
Fort Irwin $0.31
US $0.19