Cost of Living in Desert Center, CA
Cost indexes, living wages, and fair market rents — 2024 Data
Cost of Living Overview
Overall Index
111.5
100 = national avg
+11.5 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$49,080
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$116,007
per year
Cost Index by Category
Housing117.5
Food105.7
Transportation111.4
Healthcare104.5
Utilities106.9
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD1 Bedroom
$1,777
per month
2 Bedroom
$2,201
per month
The overall cost of living index in Desert Center is 111.5, which is 11.5% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 117.5. A single adult needs to earn approximately $49,080 per year to cover basic expenses.