City profile
Ridgecrest, CA
Kern County · Population 28,225
Ridgecrest is a town in Kern County, CA with about 28,225 residents and a typical home value near $254,000. It is 114 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Warm & sunny
Winter avg
55°F
Summer avg
73°F
Sunny days / yr
284
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$253,900
Typical monthly housing
$1,529
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
117
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.71%
- State income tax (top)
- 13.3%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 8.85%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 99/100
Top hazards: Wildfire, Heat wave, Earthquake
Nearest major airport
106 mi to Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport (BUR)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Republican · 38% Democratic / 59% Republican
Community
Population
28,225
Black population
4.4%
County
Kern County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸More retirees are leaving CA than arriving, mostly over cost
- ▸Home insurance is very expensive or hard to get here — get quotes before you buy
- ▸Home prices are softening in 2026 — more room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: wildfire, earthquakes
Highlights
- About 28,225 residents
- Typical home value about $254,000
- 114 miles from Los Angeles, CA
Trade-offs
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.