2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ridgecrest, CA vs Monterey, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Monterey older or younger than people in Ridgecrest?
- The Median Age in Monterey is 0.8 years older than in Ridgecrest.

Are housing costs cheaper in Monterey or Ridgecrest?
- Monterey housing costs are 316.2% more expensive than Ridgecrest housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Monterey or Ridgecrest?
- The average commute for residents of Monterey is 8.2 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Ridgecrest.

Things to do in Ridgecrest?
Located in the Indian Wells Valley of the Mojave Desert, Ridgecrest is a city in Kern County known for its rich cultural and recreational activities. With a population of over 27,000, this growing city offers attractions such as the desert landscape and nearby mountains, along with local events and recreation opportunities.

Things to do in Monterey?
Monterey, CA is an iconic beach city located on the Monterey Peninsula of California's central coast. This picturesque coastal community offers stunning beaches, world-class golf courses, fabulous restaurants and galleries, plus numerous other recreational activities.

 Ridgecrest, CAMonterey, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock30,014329,725,481
 Median Income$77,534  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock37.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$245,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.8%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.43  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Ridgecrest    7 Reviews

For context, I grew up in Ridgecrest and moved away after graduating high school. I have since lived in LA and the Bay Area but I visit RC often. RC is in the high  More

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Ridgecrest and Kern County are red state bastions in a land of blue voting counties. If you want a concealed weapons permit, you'll get it. Want to own any firearm  More

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Over 13 years ago

The hardest thing to get used to in Ridgecrest is the weather. It can get quite windy. And hot. 115 hot. But it's a dry heat! It does cool off in the evening, and it  More

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Reviews for Monterey    21 Reviews

Over 8 years ago

The Monterey city area is an excellent place to live and one of the few California locales where it's relatively safe to raise a family. If I could no longer live here I  More

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I grew up on the Monterey Peninsula and had to leave to climb out of poverty. The median income is $35,000 and outside of the military, the jobs are mostly service  More

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My husband and I are just crazy about Monterey. I wonder if we take housing expenses (mortgage or rent) out of the picture, is Monterey still a very expensive city to  More

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