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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,513 (excluding rent), and $2,912 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,285 (excluding rent), and $5,622 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.07 $25.07

$16.05 $16.05

$50.2 $50.2

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$62.4 $62.4

$59.9 $59.9

$200 $200

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.39 $13.39

$11.83 $11.83

$14.78 $14.78

Cappuccino

$5.94 $5.94

$5.03 $5.03

$9.55 $9.55

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 $2.98

$2.83 $2.83

$3.86 $3.86

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 $2.08

$2.02 $2.02

$3.03 $3.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.87 $8.87

$6.9 $6.9

$9.86 $9.86

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.83 $7.83

$7.07 $7.07

$12.12 $12.12

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 $1.33

$0.93 $0.93

$1.87 $1.87

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$3.01 $3.01

$6.74 $6.74

Rice (white) (1kg)

$7.6 $7.6

$4.34 $4.34

$17.33 $17.33

Eggs

$5.32 $5.32

$2.92 $2.92

$10.73 $10.73

Local Cheese (1kg)

$23.07 $23.07

$13.19 $13.19

$26.37 $26.37

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$17.54 $17.54

$11.19 $11.19

$30.87 $30.87

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$29.49 $29.49

$11.06 $11.06

$55.3 $55.3

Apples (1kg)

$6.72 $6.72

$4.49 $4.49

$11.23 $11.23

Banana (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$1.49 $1.49

$5.42 $5.42

Oranges (1kg)

$5.62 $5.62

$1.94 $1.94

$10.93 $10.93

Tomato (1kg)

$5.77 $5.77

$4.46 $4.46

$13.38 $13.38

Potato (1kg)

$2.86 $2.86

$1.33 $1.33

$6.19 $6.19

Onion (1kg)

$4.08 $4.08

$1.59 $1.59

$8.63 $8.63

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.44 $3.44

$2.94 $2.94

$4.91 $4.91

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$2.01 $2.01

$4.03 $4.03

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.18 $13.18

$10.88 $10.88

$15.26 $15.26

Wine (Bottle)

$14.8 $14.8

$5.91 $5.91

$22.69 $22.69

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.68 $1.68

$4.17 $4.17

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.93 $3.93

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.06 $2.06

$1.29 $1.29

$2.06 $2.06

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.85 $5.85

$2.93 $2.93

$8.77 $8.77

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.76 $2.76

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$51.2 $51.2

$32.15 $32.15

$70.3 $70.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 $1.24

$1.16 $1.16

$1.46 $1.46

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$35K $35K

$23.8K $23.8K

$44.8K $44.8K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.9K $25.9K

$25.7K $25.7K

$47.2K $47.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$230 $230

$156 $156

$541 $541

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$51.8 $51.8

$29.41 $29.41

$98 $98

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.4 $77.4

$64.9 $64.9

$185 $185

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.97 $42.97

$17.49 $17.49

$49.97 $49.97

Cinema Ticket

$12.56 $12.56

$12.05 $12.05

$19.08 $19.08

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,415 $1,415

$993 $993

$2,384 $2,384

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$36.9K $36.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.2 $69.2

$54.4 $54.4

$84 $84

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.27 $45.27

$40.24 $40.24

$54.3 $54.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$105 $105

$64.9 $64.9

$120 $120

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$131 $131

$206 $206

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,609 $1,609

$1,205 $1,205

$1,865 $1,865

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,337 $1,337

$988 $988

$1,482 $1,482

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,678 $2,678

$2,037 $2,037

$3,055 $3,055

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,203 $2,203

$1,685 $1,685

$2,478 $2,478

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,715 $2,715

$1,991 $1,991

$2,715 $2,715

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,081 $2,081

$1,700 $1,700

$2,081 $2,081

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.68

6.19

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Tehachapi, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.