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Is Cathedral City a Good Place to Live? Cathedral City, California: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Cathedral City ranks #952 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #399 of 524 smaller cities and #124 of 188 in California. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (19.9 min, #94 of 524), and trails on high unemployment (5.5%, #408 of 476) and a shrinking population (-0.3%, #353 of 468).
Cathedral City by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Cathedral City's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Cathedral City?
Cathedral City's cost of living index is 106.4, 6% above the US level of 100 and #993 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,601/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $474,971, 38% below the typical California home ($764,158).
| Measure | Cathedral City | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 102.4 · US 100 | 106.4#993 of 1,308 | 113 | 102.4 | 100 |
| Typical home value (Zillow)Zillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $431,438 · US $368,697 | $474,971#769 of 1,187 | $764,158 | $431,438 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rent (Zillow)Zillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,884/mo · US $1,948/mo | $2,301/mo#838 of 1,115 | — | $1,884/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $401,950 | $453,100#895 of 1,309 | — | $401,950 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,633/mo | $1,601/mo#788 of 1,309 | — | $1,633/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.5x | 6.2x#1068 of 1,309 | — | 4.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 22.2% | 26.1%#1094 of 1,309 | — | 22.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Cathedral City housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Cathedral City is in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro.
California housing market →Is Cathedral City safe?
Cathedral City recorded 334 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 11% below the US rate of 373 and 24% below California's 440. That ranks #608 of 1,083 cities with data (1 = safest) and #273 of 442 smaller cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Cathedral City Police Department. Property crime runs 1,162 per 100,000 (US 2,083).
| Measure | Cathedral City | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 264 · US 373 | 334#608 of 1,083 | 440 | 264 | 373 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,553 · US 2,083 | 1,162#293 of 1,083 | 2,490 | 1,553 | 2,083 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Cathedral City?
The median household in Cathedral City earns $73,572, 4% below the US figure of $76,827 and 20% below California ($91,905). Unemployment is 5.5% (US 4.2%). 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 0.3% in the latest year (US +0.8%).
| Measure | Cathedral City | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $83,646 · US $76,827 | $73,572#735 of 1,312 | $91,905 | $83,646 | $76,827 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.2% · US 4.2% | 5.5%#929 of 1,058 | 5.4% | 4.2% | 4.2% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.8% | 13.1%#744 of 1,312 | — | 10.8% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.2% · US +0.8% | -0.3%#853 of 1,132 | +0.2% | +0.2% | +0.8% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Cathedral City?
The median resident of Cathedral City is 41.1 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 24.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #992 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 66.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Cathedral City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.7 | 41.1 | 37.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 35.1% | 24.5%#992 of 1,312 | 35.1% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 61.7% | 66.5% | 61.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Cathedral City's schools and health?
Cathedral City's 8 public schools graduate 91% of students in four years (California 85%), with 20.9 students per teacher and $20,808 spent per pupil. 37.8% of adults are obese and 14.2% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 31.9% and 11%.
| Measure | Cathedral City | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 91%#291 of 1,063 | 85% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 16.4 | 20.9#974 of 1,188 | — | 16.4 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $15,354 | $20,808#170 of 1,188 | — | $15,354 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 31.9% | 37.8%#995 of 1,311 | — | 31.9% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11% | 14.2%#1104 of 1,311 | — | 11% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.7% | 16.6%#541 of 1,311 | — | 16.7% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.1% | 15.5%#1105 of 1,311 | — | 10.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 6,519 students are enrolled in Cathedral City's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Cathedral City?
The average commute in Cathedral City is 19.9 minutes (California 25.2); 1.1% of workers take transit and 9.8% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Cathedral City scores 11.6 of 20 (above average walkable), #521 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 92.1°F and winters 59.5°F, with 4.6 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Cathedral City | CaliforniaCA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 25.1 min | 19.9 min#336 of 1,312 | 25.2 min | 25.1 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6.5% | 4.3%#446 of 1,312 | 11.9% | 6.5% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.8% | 71.3% | 68.4% | 70.8% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 1.1% | 3.6% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.4% | 1.4% | 2.4% | 1.4% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0.4% | 0.7% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.7% | 9.8% | 13.6% | 13.7% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.1 | 11.6#521 of 1,312 | — | 11.1 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). California is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 70.5 | 47.6 | 1.1 |
| Feb | 73.7 | 49.7 | 1.1 |
| Mar | 80.6 | 54.4 | 0.5 |
| Apr | 86.7 | 59.1 | 0.1 |
| May | 94.7 | 65.9 | 0 |
| Jun | 103.6 | 72.7 | 0 |
| Jul | 108.6 | 79.4 | 0.3 |
| Aug | 108.1 | 79.8 | 0.1 |
| Sep | 101.8 | 74.4 | 0.2 |
| Oct | 91.1 | 64.5 | 0.2 |
| Nov | 78.7 | 53.4 | 0.2 |
| Dec | 69.2 | 46.2 | 0.7 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Palm Springs Asos.
| Measure | Cathedral City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 58.1°F | 75.6°F | 58.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 74.2°F | 92.1°F | 74.2°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 40.8°F | 59.5°F | 40.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 38.3 in | 4.6 in | 38.3 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Palm Springs Asos.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Cathedral City?
Riverside County's air had a median air quality index of 80, and 11% of measured days were rated good; 109 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Riverside County's biggest natural hazard losses in earthquake, wildfire, and inland flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.49% of building value, higher than 97% of US counties.
| Measure | Cathedral City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 44 | 80#1123 of 1,138 | 44 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 3 | 109#1108 of 1,138 | 3 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.15% | 0.49%#1283 of 1,312 | 0.15% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Riverside County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Riverside County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | 0.12% | 98% of counties |
| Wildfire | 0.078% | 98% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.24% | 98% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Cathedral City compare with similar-size cities?
Cathedral City is one of 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track and ranks #399 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 52,267.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedral City, CAPop. 52,267 | #952 | 50.9 | $73,572 | $1,601/mo | 334 | 19.9 min |
| Catalina Foothills, AZPop. 52,593 | #263 | 62.9 | $115,304 | $1,412/mo | no data | 22 min |
| Joplin, MOPop. 52,593 | #1121 | 47.5 | $52,097 | $962/mo | 559 | 18 min |
| Aloha, ORPop. 52,389 | #458 | 58.8 | $101,934 | $1,896/mo | no data | 25.4 min |
| Mooresville, NCPop. 52,381 | #373 | 60.5 | $89,647 | $1,626/mo | 247 | 24.7 min |
| Battle Creek, MIPop. 52,374 | #1253 | 42.3 | $55,693 | $957/mo | 1,055 | 18.6 min |
| Westchester, FLPop. 52,032 | #1063 | 48.6 | $72,262 | $1,819/mo | no data | 29.6 min |
| West New York, NJPop. 52,004 | #498 | 58.1 | $71,729 | $1,716/mo | 236 | 34.5 min |
| Levittown, NYPop. 51,904 | #13 | 74.8 | $146,068 | $2,656/mo | no data | 33.5 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Cathedral City compare with the rest of California?
Cathedral City ranks #124 of the 188 California cities we track, with a score of 50.9 against California's statewide 42.9. Its households earn 20% below the California median. Violent crime is 24% below the statewide rate. Homes are 38% below the typical California home.
| City | Rank in CA | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto, CAPop. 67,237 | #1 | 70.9 | $231,101 | $3,484/mo | 159 |
| Sunnyvale, CAPop. 154,236 | #2 | 69.3 | $186,170 | $3,039/mo | 188 |
| Cupertino, CAPop. 58,566 | #3 | 68.3 | $234,707 | $3,501/mo | 70 |
| Santa Clara, CAPop. 130,256 | #4 | 68.1 | $178,958 | $3,016/mo | 172 |
| Folsom, CAPop. 83,916 | #5 | 68.0 | $139,804 | $2,352/mo | 161 |
| San Mateo, CAPop. 103,105 | #6 | 67.1 | $153,504 | $3,077/mo | 168 |
| Dublin, CAPop. 70,803 | #7 | 66.5 | $214,385 | $3,191/mo | 146 |
| Pleasanton, CAPop. 76,960 | #8 | 65.2 | $190,124 | $3,060/mo | 123 |
| Mountain View, CAPop. 83,732 | #9 | 65.1 | $189,917 | $3,062/mo | 208 |
| Encinitas, CAPop. 61,480 | #10 | 65.1 | $162,229 | $2,886/mo | 108 |
| La Mesa, CAPop. 60,797 | … #120 | 51.3 | $95,028 | $2,049/mo | 397 |
| Palm Desert, CAPop. 51,990 | #121 | 51.3 | $77,513 | $1,778/mo | 138 |
| Whittier, CAPop. 86,165 | #122 | 51.2 | $97,201 | $1,906/mo | 395 |
| Fairfield, CAPop. 120,785 | #123 | 51.1 | $101,895 | $2,266/mo | 522 |
| Cathedral City, CAPop. 52,267 | #124 | 50.9 | $73,572 | $1,601/mo | 334 |
| Hanford, CAPop. 59,754 | #125 | 50.8 | $76,461 | $1,309/mo | 345 |
| Burbank, CAPop. 104,546 | #126 | 50.7 | $97,082 | $2,192/mo | 342 |
| Baldwin Park, CAPop. 70,138 | #127 | 50.6 | $80,663 | $1,867/mo | 367 |
| Visalia, CAPop. 143,939 | #128 | 50.5 | $81,989 | $1,490/mo | 415 |
The top 10 of the 188 and the cities ranked either side of Cathedral City among the California cities we track, by overall score. California statewide: median income $91,905, violent crime 440 per 100,000.
How is Cathedral City's score calculated?
Cathedral City scores 50.9 out of 100, #952 of 1,312 (grade C, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with California's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Cathedral City. Similar-size median 55.5.
43.2 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Cathedral City's police agency. Similar-size median 77.6.
77.3 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Cathedral City. Similar-size median 58.9.
44.7 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Cathedral City's public schools. Similar-size median 55.2.
62.6 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Cathedral City's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.3.
55.5 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Cathedral City. Similar-size median 56.1.
48.1 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Cathedral City. Similar-size median 42.4.
32.9 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Cathedral City. Similar-size median 50.0.
50.0 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Cathedral City's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 53.2.
55.8 - EnvironmentCounty data · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 50.8.
1.6 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Cathedral City's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Cathedral City has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Cathedral City
Is Cathedral City, CA a good place to live?
Cathedral City ranks #952 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #399 of 524 smaller cities and #124 of 188 in California. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (19.9 min, #94 of 524), and trails on high unemployment (5.5%, #408 of 476) and a shrinking population (-0.3%, #353 of 468).
What is the cost of living in Cathedral City?
Cathedral City's cost of living index is 106.4, 6% above the US level of 100 and #993 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,601/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $474,971, 38% below the typical California home ($764,158).
What is the crime rate in Cathedral City?
Cathedral City recorded 334 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 11% below the US rate of 373 and 24% below California's 440. That ranks #608 of 1,083 cities with data (1 = safest) and #273 of 442 smaller cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Cathedral City Police Department. Property crime runs 1,162 per 100,000 (US 2,083).
What is the median household income in Cathedral City?
The median household in Cathedral City earns $73,572, 4% below the US figure of $76,827 and 20% below California ($91,905). Unemployment is 5.5% (US 4.2%). 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 0.3% in the latest year (US +0.8%).
How much is rent in Cathedral City?
Median rent in Cathedral City is $1,601/mo (Census), #788 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Zillow's typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $2,301/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 26.1% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Cathedral City?
Zillow's typical home value in Cathedral City is $474,971, down 2.9% in a year, against $764,158 for California and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $453,100.
How are the public schools in Cathedral City?
Cathedral City's 8 public schools graduate 91% of students in four years (California 85%), with 20.9 students per teacher and $20,808 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Cathedral City?
The average commute is 19.9 minutes, #336 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 25.2 minutes across California. 4.3% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Cathedral City?
Cathedral City averages 75.6°F over the year, 92.1°F in summer and 59.5°F in winter, with 4.6 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Cathedral City walkable?
Cathedral City scores 11.6 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (above average walkable), #521 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Cathedral City at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Riverside County's biggest natural hazard losses in earthquake, wildfire, and inland flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.49% of building value, higher than 97% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Cathedral City?
Riverside County's air had a median air quality index of 80, and 11% of measured days were rated good; 109 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone.
Who lives in Cathedral City?
Cathedral City has 52,267 residents. The median resident of Cathedral City is 41.1 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 24.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #992 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 66.5% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Cathedral City compare with the rest of California?
Cathedral City ranks #124 of the 188 California cities we track, with a score of 50.9 against California's statewide 42.9. Its households earn 20% below the California median. Violent crime is 24% below the statewide rate. Homes are 38% below the typical California home.
What cities are similar in size to Cathedral City?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Cathedral City's population of 52,267 are Catalina Foothills, AZ (#263 overall), Joplin, MO (#1121 overall), Aloha, OR (#458 overall), Mooresville, NC (#373 overall), and Battle Creek, MI (#1253 overall). Cathedral City is #952.