Alpine, CA vs Keyes, CA

The cost of living difference between Alpine, CA and Keyes, CA is dramatic. Keyes is 57.8% cheaper than Alpine, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Alpine has a cost index of 167 while Keyes sits at 106, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Alpine is $2,025/month compared to $1,361/month in Keyes — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Keyes is more affordable at $335,500 median vs $810,000.

Median household income in Alpine is $111,723 compared to $59,338 in Keyes (+88.3%). 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, less than the 27.5% in Keyes.