A-

Keene, CA

Source:

Affordability Score: 82/100

Population: 509 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Keene, CA aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 509 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of A- (82/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $164,318, median home value of $518,500, median rent of per month, and 41.3% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,483 per month (studio $1,132, 1BR $1,140, 3BR $2,062, 4BR $2,488). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $18,337 per year, consuming 11% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Keene, CA include income, rent. Unemployment currently reads 2.3% and poverty 0.0% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income A+
$164,318
Median household income
Education B
41.3%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing C+
3.2x
Home value $518,500 vs income
Commute N/A
N/A
Average commute time
Rent A+
$1,483/mo
2BR fair market rent (11% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare B-
$18,337/yr
Center-based infant care (11% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$164,318
▲ 165% vs national
Per Capita Income
$60,276
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
Poverty Rate
0.0%

Housing

Median Home Value
$518,500
▲ 89% vs national
Median Rent
Owner Occupied
100.0%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,483/mo
▲ 24% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,132
1BR
$1,140
2BR
$1,483
3BR
$2,062
4BR
$2,488

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
41.3%
▲ 11 ppt vs national
High School+
51.5%
Median Age
59.4
Avg. Commute

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$18,337/yr
11% of income
Toddler (Center)
$10,716/yr
Preschool (Center)
$8,873/yr
School-Age (Center)
$4,738/yr

What This Means

Keene, CA receives an overall affordability grade of A- (82/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 509. This area performs well in income and rent. Data was unavailable for commute, safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Keene, CA affordable?
Keene, CA receives an overall affordability grade of A- (82/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $164,318. Median home value is $518,500.
What is the cost of living in Keene?
Key cost metrics: 2BR fair market rent $1,483/mo. Infant childcare $18,337/yr. Median home value $518,500.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →