Rows tagged local are specific to Ridgecrest (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Bakersfield, CA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district Sierra Sands Unified · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
102.4
metro-area
#155 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
104.9
metro-area
#180 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.83
metro-area
#155 of 200 metros
Median household income
$85,872
local
#1551 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$56,113
local
#826 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
32.4 years
metro-area
#10 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
18.6%
metro-area
#198 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
19.7%
metro-area
#29 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
59.8%
metro-area
#176 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
9.17%
local
#3006 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-2.1%
local
#2722 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$224,600
local
#789 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.6×
local
#327 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
-0.4%
metro-area
#142 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$150
local
#1188 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,500 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,133
local
#770 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,852
Median days on market
21
metro-area
#124 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
13.5%
state
#169 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
8.82%
state
#150 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
13.30%
Capital gains tax
13.30%
state
#180 of 200 metros
High earners
1% Mental Health Services surtax on income over $1M (13.3% top rate)
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.95%
local
#1562 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$2,145
local
#742 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
74.2 years
metro-area
#168 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,200
state
#139 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
7.7%
metro-area
#90 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
48
metro-area
#188 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$19,000
state
#178 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$300
state
#174 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
0.65% of value (~$182/yr)
state
#115 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Smog check every 2 years in most counties
DMV & license offices
14
Avg commute to work
16 min
local
#21 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
79.2%
metro-area
#165 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
25.4%
metro-area
#46 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
35.3¢/kWh
state
#181 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$317
state
#181 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$4.85/gal
state
#182 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$72
state
#100 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$138
state
#159 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$83
state
#135 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#51 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,400
state
#154 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
98.9 — Relatively High
metro-area
#181 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$750
state
#90 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$950
state
#182 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
72
metro-area
#197 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,000
metro-area
#78 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
72%
state
#171 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
2,200
metro-area
#51 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
100
metro-area
#184 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
24
metro-area
#194 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
84°F
metro-area
#37 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
45°F
metro-area
#20 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
6.5"
metro-area
#2 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
0.0"
metro-area
#1 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
80%
metro-area
#6 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
9b
Frost window
01-31 → 12-31
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
500
state
#161 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,330
state
#112 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
35
metro-area
#133 of 200 metros
Parks
44
Hiking areas
4
Golf courses
17
Shooting ranges
13
Lakes
2
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
5
state
#165 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Very difficult; CEQA + local review, esp. SF/coastal
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.