Cost of Living in Tehachapi, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,367 (excluding rent), and $2,868 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,195 (excluding rent), and $5,530 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.86 $24.86
$15.91 $15.91
$49.73 $49.73
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3 $63.3
$60.7 $60.7
$202 $202
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.79 $13.79
$12.17 $12.17
$15.22 $15.22
Cappuccino
$5.97 $5.97
$5.05 $5.05
$9.6 $9.6
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95 $2.95
$2.8 $2.8
$3.82 $3.82
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08 $2.08
$2.02 $2.02
$3.03 $3.03
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$9.13 $9.13
$7.1 $7.1
$10.14 $10.14
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.95 $7.95
$7.18 $7.18
$12.31 $12.31
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.34 $1.34
$0.93 $0.93
$1.87 $1.87
White Bread (500g)
$3.9 $3.9
$2.88 $2.88
$6.45 $6.45
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.5 $7.5
$4.28 $4.28
$17.11 $17.11
Eggs
$5.47 $5.47
$3 $3
$11.04 $11.04
Local Cheese (1kg)
$23.19 $23.19
$13.25 $13.25
$26.51 $26.51
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$17.14 $17.14
$10.94 $10.94
$30.17 $30.17
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$29.08 $29.08
$10.9 $10.9
$54.5 $54.5
Apples (1kg)
$6.65 $6.65
$4.45 $4.45
$11.12 $11.12
Banana (1kg)
$2.95 $2.95
$1.51 $1.51
$5.48 $5.48
Oranges (1kg)
$5.71 $5.71
$1.98 $1.98
$11.1 $11.1
Tomato (1kg)
$5.57 $5.57
$4.3 $4.3
$12.9 $12.9
Potato (1kg)
$2.87 $2.87
$1.34 $1.34
$6.22 $6.22
Onion (1kg)
$4.09 $4.09
$1.6 $1.6
$8.65 $8.65
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.51 $3.51
$3 $3
$5.02 $5.02
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.07 $2.07
$1.93 $1.93
$3.88 $3.88
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.98 $12.98
$10.71 $10.71
$15.03 $15.03
Wine (Bottle)
$17.33 $17.33
$11.22 $11.22
$23.45 $23.45
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77 $1.77
$1.77 $1.77
$4.4 $4.4
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.95 $3.95
$3.95 $3.95
$3.95 $3.95
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.94 $1.94
$1.21 $1.21
$1.94 $1.94
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.83 $5.83
$2.92 $2.92
$8.74 $8.74
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.74 $2.74
$2.74 $2.74
$2.74 $2.74
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$51.6 $51.6
$32.36 $32.36
$70.8 $70.8
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.2 $1.2
$1.12 $1.12
$1.42 $1.42
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.2K $35.2K
$23.9K $23.9K
$44.9K $44.9K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3K $25.3K
$25.2K $25.2K
$46.2K $46.2K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$227 $227
$154 $154
$535 $535
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.7 $52.7
$29.95 $29.95
$99.8 $99.8
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$76.9 $76.9
$64.5 $64.5
$184 $184
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.44 $42.44
$17.27 $17.27
$49.34 $49.34
Cinema Ticket
$12.46 $12.46
$11.96 $11.96
$18.92 $18.92
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,441 $1,441
$1,011 $1,011
$2,427 $2,427
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$37.2K $37.2K
$37.2K $37.2K
$37.2K $37.2K
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.6 $68.6
$53.9 $53.9
$83.3 $83.3
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.66 $44.66
$39.69 $39.69
$53.6 $53.6
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$107 $107
$66 $66
$122 $122
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$144 $144
$131 $131
$206 $206
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,578 $1,578
$1,182 $1,182
$1,829 $1,829
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,311 $1,311
$969 $969
$1,453 $1,453
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,635 $2,635
$2,004 $2,004
$3,005 $3,005
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,300 $2,300
$1,759 $1,759
$2,587 $2,587
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,753 $2,753
$1,967 $1,967
$2,753 $2,753
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,332 $2,332
$1,804 $1,804
$2,332 $2,332
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.68
6.19
8
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Tehachapi, CA - Frequently Asked Questions
How would you describe overall affordability in Tehachapi for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Tehachapi offers a practical mix of small-town charm and reliable amenities that suit travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Compared with coastal tech hubs, you often find more flexible housing options and steadier long-term rents in older apartments or shared spaces. Groceries come from farmers markets and local grocers, keeping daily costs moderate when you shop with a plan. The altitude means cooler summers and potentially warmer winters, which influences utility habits more than wages. Cost of Living in Tehachapi, CA, United States is generally favorable for those prioritizing lifestyle over skylines. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to test neighborhoods and commute times.
What does daily life look like in Tehachapi for a traveler or expat, including housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
For housing, search for neighborhoods that balance proximity to the historic downtown with access to trails and fresh air. Expect rental options ranging from modest apartments to shared houses; bookings often require a little flexibility. For groceries and meals, you will find farmers markets, cafe fare, and affordable takeout that fits a nomad budget. Getting around can be comfortable by car or bike, and several co-working spaces offer daily or monthly passes. Track your errands by grouping trips with the market days and post offices. Tehachapi, CA, United States living cost can be manageable if you plan around weekly meal prep and off-peak travel. Tip: Use online listings to filter by move-in date and neighborhood vibe.
What factors influence quality of life and budgeting for a longer stay in Tehachapi, and how can you choose a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle?
For quality of life, map a simple budgeting framework: housing, utilities, groceries, and local activities. In Tehachapi you may enjoy four-season outdoors, affordable air quality and steady but varied electricity use with heating in winter and cooling off-peak. Neighborhood fit often hinges on proximity to trails, quiet streets, and access to coffee shops or coworking hubs. Save by buying produce at farmers markets, sharing rides for longer trips, and choosing monthly pass options for transit or coworking. Seasonality brings fall and spring shoulder periods with lighter crowds, making longer stays more relaxing. Tip: set a cap on discretionary spend and rotate weekend getaways to keep your budget balanced.
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