Cost of Living in Inyo County, California

$1,140/mo
Median Monthly Rent
$338,400
Median Home Value
30% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent
$1,140/mo
30% below state average
Median Home Value
$338,400
20% above national
Rent-to-Income Ratio
22.0%
% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating
Unaffordable
Rent over 50% of income

How Inyo County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Inyo County$1,140/mo
California Average$1,618/mo
National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$1,140/mo
Median Gross Rent
$338,400
Median Home Value
$1,013/mo
Monthly Owner Cost
22.0%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Inyo County, California

Inyo punches above weight nationally

Inyo County renters spend just 18.9% of income on housing, nearly 4 percentage points below California's 22.4% average and well below national norms. With a median household income of $72,432 and rent of $1,140, Inyo achieves genuine affordability through a rare combination of reasonable costs and solid wages.

Among California's best affordability

Inyo County ranks in California's top tier for housing affordability with an 18.9% rent-to-income ratio, just slightly above El Dorado's 18.4%. This reflects Inyo's position as one of California's most livable remote-work destinations, balancing mountain lifestyle with practical financial realities.

Inyo's mountain advantage

Inyo's median rent of $1,140 is lower than most counties in this comparison, while the 18.9% rent-to-income ratio beats all except El Dorado and Glenn. The median income of $72,432 provides strong purchasing power relative to housing costs, a rare advantage in California's mountain communities.

Inyo's balanced housing costs

Inyo renters pay $1,140 monthly while homeowners face just $1,013—the lowest ownership cost in this group—with a median home value of $338,400. The $72,432 median household income absorbs these expenses efficiently, dedicating only 18.9% to housing and leaving 81.1% for living expenses.

Inyo for lifestyle and affordability

Inyo County delivers a rare combination: mountain living with genuine affordability and a 18.9% housing ratio rivaling much wealthier regions. If you can work remotely or secure a position in outdoor recreation, tourism, or public service, Inyo offers California mountain life without the usual coastal-county budget squeeze.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Inyo County

$

Rent Burden

18.9%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,690

per month

Owner Cost Burden

16.8%

of gross income

The median home in Inyo County may be a stretch

Median home value is $338,400. Estimated monthly cost: $2,702 vs. your max of $1,690.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio18.9%
Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Inyo County, California?
Inyo County, California has a median monthly rent of $1,140/mo and a median home value of $338,400. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 22.0% of median household income.
What is the median rent in Inyo County?
The median gross rent in Inyo County is $1,140/mo. This is 30% below state average for California.
Is Inyo County affordable?
Inyo County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 22.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.
How does Inyo County's rent compare to the state average?
Inyo County's median rent of $1,140/mo is 30% below state average of $1,618/mo for California.
What is the median home value in Inyo County?
The median home value in Inyo County, California is $338,400. This is 20% above the national median home value of $281,900.
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Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.