2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Indio

California (CA)
Best for: Coachella Valley households who prefer desert scenery and a larger residential base
Indio CA 2027 livability
Small City
2027 CITY CLASSSmall City25,000–99,999 residents
Modern Livability70.1/ 100
AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population94,269
Median Home$458,400
Median Rent$1,437
Median Household Income$77,167
Cost of LivingRPP 106.4 (US=100; BEA 2024; metro area)
Average Commute23.0 min (ACS 2020-2024)
Unemployment4.8% (ACS 2020-2024; civilian labor force)
Metro AreaRiverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

70.1overall
Housing & Financial Reality65.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living84.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability64.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity70.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness73.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place77.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion61.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape80.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging76.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment45.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture74.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity73.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionACS average one-way commute: 23.0 minutes (2020-2024, excluding workers at home). Workplace location and departure time still determine individual travel. This is a commute measure, not a live traffic-delay index.
Weekend EscapeThe nearby Coachella Valley Preserve provides desert habitat and walking opportunities, with access rules set by its land managers. Regional trips depend on travel time and seasonal conditions.
WalkabilityCitywide Walk Score 32/100 (directory checked October 2026). Many errands require a car; selected centers may be more walkable.
Airport AccessPalm Springs International Airport (PSP) is a regional air-travel option. Check the airport for current destinations; no drive-time estimate is assumed.
Outdoor AccessThe nearby Coachella Valley Preserve provides desert habitat and walking opportunities, with access rules set by its land managers.
Healthcare AccessJohn F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio provides a local or nearby hospital option. Check insurance networks, service availability and specialist access individually.
Air QualityAir quality changes by day and season. Check AirNow for local ozone and fine-particle conditions, particularly during heat or smoke events; no citywide annual AQI rating is assigned here.
Third Places / Social LifeIndio's parks and recreation facilities provide public gathering spaces. A desert city with established neighborhoods, newer subdivisions and a seasonal rhythm influenced by regional visitors and events. The mix of libraries, cafes and community activities varies by neighborhood.
EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Broadly stable: +0.2% population change from 2024 to 2025 (same Census vintage). This describes population only, not a forecast.
WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Indio has 94,269 residents in the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimate and is #371 in the incorporated-place population ranking used for this batch. The ACS 2020-2024 estimates report a median owner-occupied home value of $458,400, median monthly gross rent of $1,437, and median household income of $77,167. These are survey-period estimates, not current listings or asking rents. The nearby Coachella Valley Preserve provides desert habitat and walking opportunities, with access rules set by its land managers. Livability scores are provisional editorial assessments for review, not official Census ratings.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

A desert city with established neighborhoods, newer subdivisions and a seasonal rhythm influenced by regional visitors and events.

STRENGTHS

Where it shines

Access to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio; The nearby Coachella Valley Preserve provides desert habitat and walking opportunities, with access rules set by its land managers.

TRADEOFFS

Where it falls short

Extreme summer heat; high cooling needs; car dependence; seasonal event traffic.

ALL 2027 RANKINGS

Where Indio ranks