Living in Indio, CA

Indio is the 371st-largest city in the US, home to about 94,000 people in 2025. It has grown 5.6% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (106.4 on an index where the US is 100).

Population, 2025

94,269+5.6% since 2020

Median home value

$458,4005.9 years of median income

Median rent

$1,437/morent plus utilities

Household income

$77,167median, per year

Price level

106.4US average = 100

January / July highs

71° / 107°lows 39° / 76°

Average commute

23 min5% work from home

State income tax

13.3%top rate, graduated

Cost of living in Indio

The median home in Indio is worth $458,400 and the median household earns $77,167 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.9 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,437 a month, about 22% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area at 106.4, with housing at 129.3 and goods at 101.4 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $79,800 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.

All items106.4

Housing129.3

Goods101.4

Utilities148.6

Other services101.3

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Indio weather

Average highs run from 71°F in January to 107°F in July, and January nights average 39°F. It gets 3 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 187 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February to March and November.

Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Indio

People and work

The median resident is 38.6 years old, and 20% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 67% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 23 minutes; 5% of workers work from home.

Median age

38.6406th youngest of 546

Bachelor's or higher

21%adults 25+

Homeowners

67%of households

People per sq mile

2,84133.2 sq mi of land

Take transit to work

1%1% walk, 0.2% bike

Unemployment

4.8%2020-2024 average

Poverty rate

11.5%of residents

Typical home built

2000median year

Who moves to Indio, and where people go

From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Anaheim (Orange County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Anaheim (Orange County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). See the map and full lists

IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.

Natural hazards, home prices and air quality

FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Parks and sights near Indio

The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.

• Joshua Tree National Park National park 20 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Zoo 10 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Mount San Jacinto State Park State park 26 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument National monument 28 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Sand to Snow National Monument National monument 35 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Salton Sea State Recreation Area State park 27 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Indio Hills Palms Park Property State park 8 miles
  BeenWant to go

Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.

Airports near Indio

Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.

Frost dates and fall color in Indio

Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before February 7, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 21 and the first frost comes around December 2.

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Desert Resorts Regional Airport, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Indio.

Wildfire smoke in Indio

From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Indio on about 38 days a year, including about 6 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.

NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.

Home internet in Indio

Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 31,250 households. Compare every city.

Public schools in Indio

Downtown Indio is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.

Other districts within 10 miles: Palm Springs Unified School District (20,008 students), Coachella Valley Unified School District (15,817 students).

National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.

Indio's twin cities

Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Indio's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).

• Mesa, AZ81% matchCompare
• Chandler, AZ78% matchCompare
• Gilbert, AZ72% matchCompare
• Maricopa, AZ72% matchCompare

Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler

Stargazing near Indio

The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:

• Joshua Tree National Park International Dark Sky Park 20 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park International Dark Sky Park 36 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Borrego Springs International Dark Sky Community 36 miles
  BeenWant to go

Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.

Ski resorts near Indio

• Bear Mountain 49 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Snow Summit 51 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Snow Valley Mountain Resort 57 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Rim Nordic Ski Area 57 miles
  BeenWant to go

Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.

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Pros and cons of living in Indio

Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.

Pros

• Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 71°F.

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Cons

• Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
• Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
• Data Summers are long and hot: about 187 days a year reach 90°F.
• Data High natural hazard risk in Riverside County (FEMA rates it very high), led by wildfire, inland flooding and earthquake.
• Data Air quality is a concern: 136 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).

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Indio report card from locals

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Cities near Indio

Straight-line distance between city centers.

Indio ranks 33rd of 62 in our best suburbs of Riverside ranking.

Cities with a similar profile

Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.

Compare Indio with another city

Indio vsCompare

Frequently asked questions

Is Indio a good place to live?

It depends on what you need. The numbers show a growing population; the trade-offs are 187 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Indio side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.

What is the population of Indio?

The Census Bureau estimates Indio had 94,269 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 89,280 in April 2020 (+5.6%).

How much do you need to earn to live in Indio?

Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $79,800 in the Indio area. The median household here earns $77,167.

When is the best time to visit Indio?

By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to March and November are the most comfortable months. July averages 107°F and January 71°F for daytime highs.

What county is Indio in?

Indio is in Riverside County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.

What time zone is Indio in?

Indio is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).

What is the elevation of Indio?

Close to sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.

Does California have a state income tax?

Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.

Sources

Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Indio. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Desert Resorts Regional Airport, CA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.