Living in Ridgecrest, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ridgecrest · Census data 2020–2024
Ridgecrest has 28,225 residents with a median age of 33.4. The median household income is $89,250 (10% lower than the California median), the median home value is $253,900, the median rent is $1,186/month.
Ridgecrest at a glance
- Population
- 28,225
- Median age
- 33.4State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $89,250State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $253,900State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,186/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 58.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30.9%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Ridgecrest a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 65% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 10% lower than the California median; unemployment of 7.6%; a poverty rate of 12.5%.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Ridgecrest
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ridgecrest the median home value is $253,900, 24% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,186 per month, which is 26.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,747 a month in housing costs.
Ridgecrest median household income
The median household income in Ridgecrest is $89,250 and the income per person is $41,606. 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Ridgecrest: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 12,155
- Owner-occupied
- 58.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 41.2%
- Vacant
- 7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1981
- Average household size
- 2.47
Ridgecrest demographics
- Population
- 28,225
- Median age
- 33.4
- Under 18
- 27.2%
- 65 and older
- 12.4%
- Households
- 11,303
- Foreign-born
- 7.7%
- Veterans
- 15%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ridgecrest ›
Education in Ridgecrest
30.9% of adults 25 and older in Ridgecrest have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 9.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ridgecrest
- Unemployment rate
- 7.6%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 11%
- Drive alone
- 73.3%
- Public transit
- 0.4%
- Walk to work
- 1.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.3%
Ridgecrest vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgecrest | 28,225 | $89,250 | $253,900 | $1,186 |
| Ridgecrest Heights | 370 | $77,130 | $164,300 | — |
| China Lake Acres | 2,594 | $68,594 | $160,300 | $1,283 |
| Searles Valley | 1,713 | $62,500 | $80,800 | $819 |
| Onyx | 245 | $24,297 | — | — |
| California City | 14,414 | $60,113 | $278,000 | $1,300 |
| Weldon | 2,493 | $35,221 | $178,800 | $1,120 |
| North Edwards | 903 | $45,568 | $172,700 | $1,162 |
More for people moving to Ridgecrest
Ridgecrest ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ridgecrest: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ridgecrest, CA?
The median household income in Ridgecrest is $89,250, 10% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Ridgecrest?
The median home value in Ridgecrest is $253,900, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Ridgecrest?
The median gross rent in Ridgecrest is $1,186 per month, about 26.1% of household income.
Is Ridgecrest, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 65% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes. Minuses: median household income 10% lower than the California median; unemployment of 7.6%; a poverty rate of 12.5%.
What is the median age in Ridgecrest?
The median age in Ridgecrest is 33.4 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Ridgecrest?
The average commute to work in Ridgecrest is 17 minutes; 11% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ridgecrest?
The unemployment rate in Ridgecrest is 7.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ridgecrest?
30.9% of adults in Ridgecrest have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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