Last update: Oct 2026 United States 51.5K

Cost of Living in Cathedral City, CA

For one person, living costs in Cathedral City, CA are estimated at $2,626 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than half of the total. Other living expenses average about $36 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cathedral City, CA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Cathedral City, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $2,626 monthly including rent, or $1,093 excluding housing.

$2,626 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,862 with rent, or $1,870 without housing.

$3,862 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $5,098 including rent, or $2,646 for daily expenses alone.

$5,098 /mo

Cathedral City, CA sits 80–93% above the global median across household types. Within North America, costs are 31% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.69 $18.69
$11.81 $11.81
$34.44 $34.44
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.8 $75.8
$50.5 $50.5
$126 $126
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.90 $10.90
$9.91 $9.91
$13.88 $13.88
Cappuccino
$5.18 $5.18
$3.57 $3.57
$8.15 $8.15
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$1.96 $1.96
$3.93 $3.93
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 $1.97
$1.48 $1.48
$2.96 $2.96
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.04 $6.04
$4.03 $4.03
$8.06 $8.06
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.96 $6.96
$4.97 $4.97
$9.95 $9.95
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.00 $1.00
$0.75 $0.75
$1.42 $1.42
White Bread (500g)
$3.46 $3.46
$2.05 $2.05
$5.44 $5.44
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.42 $4.42
$2.14 $2.14
$8.82 $8.82
Eggs
$4.25 $4.25
$2.05 $2.05
$7.17 $7.17
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.16 $12.16
$6.94 $6.94
$21.86 $21.86
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.32 $11.32
$6.07 $6.07
$19.64 $19.64
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.20 $15.20
$9.77 $9.77
$23.90 $23.90
Apples (1kg)
$4.82 $4.82
$2.52 $2.52
$8.69 $8.69
Banana (1kg)
$1.58 $1.58
$1.09 $1.09
$4.12 $4.12
Oranges (1kg)
$4.22 $4.22
$2.19 $2.19
$8.76 $8.76
Tomato (1kg)
$4.58 $4.58
$2.14 $2.14
$8.56 $8.56
Potato (1kg)
$2.80 $2.80
$1.30 $1.30
$6.06 $6.06
Onion (1kg)
$2.86 $2.86
$1.85 $1.85
$4.47 $4.47
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.12 $2.12
$1.43 $1.43
$3.09 $3.09
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$1.22 $1.22
$3.29 $3.29
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.77 $9.77
$8.15 $8.15
$12.23 $12.23
Wine (Bottle)
$13.90 $13.90
$8.93 $8.93
$21.84 $21.84
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77 $1.77
$1.69 $1.69
$2.79 $2.79
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45 $3.45
$1.64 $1.64
$6.16 $6.16
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.98 $1.98
$1.24 $1.24
$1.98 $1.98
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$62.0 $62.0
$30.99 $30.99
$62.0 $62.0
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.55 $3.55
$3.04 $3.04
$5.07 $5.07
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.59 $1.59
$1.52 $1.52
$2.13 $2.13
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.44 $29.44
$26.63 $26.63
$35.31 $35.31
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.89 $0.89
$0.79 $0.79
$1.03 $1.03
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8K $29.8K
$23.9K $23.9K
$36.3K $36.3K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0K $26.0K
$25.4K $25.4K
$27.5K $27.5K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$186 $186
$119 $119
$341 $341
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.2 $53.2
$30.23 $30.23
$101 $101
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.8 $68.8
$51.0 $51.0
$102 $102
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.71 $42.71
$17.38 $17.38
$49.66 $49.66
Cinema Ticket
$13.46 $13.46
$10.97 $10.97
$17.94 $17.94
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,308 $1,308
$1,008 $1,008
$1,862 $1,862
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.8K $23.8K
$17.0K $17.0K
$27.6K $27.6K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.3 $50.3
$29.60 $29.60
$78.9 $78.9
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.94 $39.94
$24.96 $24.96
$64.9 $64.9
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.1 $85.1
$58.9 $58.9
$128 $128
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 $113
$64.8 $64.8
$203 $203
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,629 $1,629
$1,220 $1,220
$1,889 $1,889
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,347 $1,347
$995 $995
$1,493 $1,493
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,592 $2,592
$1,971 $1,971
$2,957 $2,957
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,266 $2,266
$1,733 $1,733
$2,549 $2,549
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,761 $2,761
$1,958 $1,958
$2,761 $2,761
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,402 $2,402
$1,851 $1,851
$2,402 $2,402
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
6.19
7

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Cathedral City, CA $2,626
Accommodation & Living
$1.3K
Groceries & Markets
$384
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$308
Eating Out
$306
Clothing & Footwear
$130
Getting Around
$81
Sport & Entertainment
$70

Cost Breakdown

Expect to spend about $384 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $76 for two – broadly in line with the North American average.

Public transport is priced at around $62 per month – roughly in line with the North American average of $54.

Cost Highlights

Cathedral City, CA is more expensive than 86% of cities worldwide and 67% within North America.

Good to know
🕒 Local time
05:43 5:43 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
51,493
💱 Currency
📈 Exchange rate
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.899 EUR).

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Cathedral City, CA Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

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Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

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Mbps
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Cathedral City, CA - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cathedral City generally affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does its value compare to nearby hubs?
Cathedral City offers a practical balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Relative to coastal tech hubs, you will find a slower pace, broadened housing options, and services geared to longer stays. The value appears when you blend outdoor living with proximity to Palm Springs, while keeping core needs within easy reach. Neighborhood choice and lease type drive how you feel the costs, so aim for modest apartments or longer-term rentals to maximize security and predictability. For a quick read, Cost of Living in Cathedral City, CA, United States can serve as a helpful benchmark. Tip: Test a few neighborhoods on weekend days to gauge crowds and commute times.
What does daily life look like here, including housing search, food options, transport, and errands for a typical visitor or resident?
Daily life in Cathedral City suits practical routines. For housing, you will look for studios or one-bedroom apartments close to downtown or near parks; leases often align with seasonal patterns. Food options range from casual eateries to groceries and farmers markets, offering affordable staples and fresh produce. Getting around is car-friendly, with reasonable traffic and growing bike lanes; occasional bus routes help you skip a car day. Many digital nomads enjoy coworking spaces a short drive away in Palm Springs. When budgeting, compare Cathedral City, CA, United States living cost across neighborhoods. Tip: map three viable areas and test commute times during your typical work hours.
What factors influence quality of life and budgeting in Cathedral City, and how can you plan to save while you settle in and explore neighborhoods?
Quality of life here blends outdoor access with a friendly community and a manageable pace. To budget effectively, use a simple framework – split your spending into housing, essentials, and leisure. Seasonality mainly affects outdoor activities and utility use; summer heat may push cooling needs, while milder evenings invite social life. Neighborhood fit matters: look for areas with safe sidewalks, proximity to shops, and easy park access if you value outdoor time. Save strategies include cooking at home, buying in-season produce, and sharing coworking spaces to reduce overhead. Tip: try a two-week cost diary to identify recurring spend and adjust before your next lease renewal.
Is Cathedral City, CA really that expensive?
Living in Cathedral City, CA doesn’t come cheap – monthly expenses with rent reach $2,626, putting it among the pricier cities worldwide. Housing dominates the cost, but food, services, and leisure all sit above the global median too.
What are the monthly living expenses in Cathedral City, CA as of 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Cathedral City, CA come to around $2,626 including rent, or roughly $1,093 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
What income level supports a comfortable lifestyle in Cathedral City, CA?
Earning $3,940 monthly in Cathedral City, CA means you’re living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That’s the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
What does a one-bedroom apartment cost in Cathedral City, CA per month?
Where you live in Cathedral City, CA makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $1,629; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $1,347. Overall, the market runs from $1,347 to $1,629 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
Is public transport affordable in Cathedral City, CA?
A monthly transit pass in Cathedral City, CA runs about $62, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It’s entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.
Why are groceries so expensive in Cathedral City, CA?
A single person’s grocery bill in Cathedral City, CA runs about $384 monthly, which is above average. Everything from dairy and meat to fresh produce costs more here, reflecting the city’s overall high price level.
Does $3,000 cover living expenses in Cathedral City, CA?
Yes, but with a modest margin: monthly costs with rent average $2,626 in Cathedral City, CA, so $3,000 handles the essentials and some extras. Pricier neighborhoods or frequent dining out would quickly use up the difference.
What are the pros and cons of living in Cathedral City, CA?
Cathedral City, CA offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value low crime rates, clean air, family-friendly facilities, and at around $2,626 per month, it’s accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.

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