Alpine, CA vs Boulder Creek, CA

Alpine, CA and Boulder Creek, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Alpine scores 167 while Boulder Creek scores 160 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Alpine is $2,025/month compared to $1,844/month in Boulder Creek — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Boulder Creek is more affordable at $785,200 median vs $810,000.

Median household income in Alpine is $111,723 compared to $106,842 in Boulder Creek (+4.6%). While Alpine is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Alpine spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, more than the 20.7% in Boulder Creek.