Altadena, CA vs McFarland, CA

The cost of living difference between Altadena, CA and McFarland, CA is dramatic. McFarland is 122.4% cheaper than Altadena, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Altadena has a cost index of 196 while McFarland sits at 88, 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 Altadena is $2,250/month compared to $1,067/month in McFarland — a 111% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: McFarland is more affordable at $245,500 median vs $1,073,500.

Median household income in Altadena is $129,123 compared to $51,801 in McFarland (+149.3%). While Altadena is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Altadena spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, less than the 24.7% in McFarland.