Total monthly cost of ownership
Cost to Own a Home in California City, California
A $240,000 home here costs
$1,965per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.40% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $84,000 a year.
A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,329. The real number is $636 higher every month, 48% more than the payment most buyers budget for.
Compare Kern County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown
Where every dollar goes
Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.
California City against Kern County and California
| Measure | California City | Kern County |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $239,600 | $310,600 |
| Median property tax | $1,938 | $2,833 |
| Effective tax rate | 0.809% | 0.912% |
| Median gross rent | $1,016 | $1,220 |
| Population | 14,821 | 910,433 |
The weather behind that power bill
California City sits in Kern County, which averages a high of 98.3°F in its hottest month and a low of 39.6°F in its coldest, with 6.36" of precipitation a year and 55% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 2,425 cooling and 1,958 heating degree days, which is what sets the $169 electricity line above.
See the full climate breakdown for Kern County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.
Other cities in Kern County
Full Kern County cost breakdown · Every county in California
Talk to someone who works this market
These are California City averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works California City every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.
I'm looking to buy in California City I already own here and may sell
Common questions
How much does it cost to own a home in California City?
A $240,000 home in California City, California costs approximately $1,965 per month with 20% down at 7.4%. That is $1,329 principal and interest, $162 property tax, $37 homeowners insurance, $237 utilities and $200 set aside for maintenance.
What is the property tax rate in California City?
California City has an effective property tax rate of 0.809%, based on a median home value of $239,600 and median real estate taxes of $1,938. That is lower than the Kern County average of 0.912%.
What is the average home price in California City?
The median owner-occupied home value in California City, California is $239,600, against $310,600 across Kern County.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in California City?
Median gross rent in California City is $1,016 a month, against $1,965 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.
What salary do you need to buy a home in California City?
Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in California City, California at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $84,000 a year. That covers the full $1,965 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.
Sources & methodology
- Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for California City, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
- Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for California.
- Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
- Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
- Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.