Alum Rock, CA vs Los Gatos, CA

The cost of living difference between Alum Rock, CA and Los Gatos, CA is dramatic. Alum Rock is 37% cheaper than Los Gatos, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Alum Rock has a cost index of 185 while Los Gatos sits at 294, 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 Alum Rock is $2,412/month compared to $2,969/month in Los Gatos — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alum Rock is more affordable at $880,000 median vs $2,000,001.

Median household income in Alum Rock is $111,976 compared to $207,891 in Los Gatos (-46.1%). While Los Gatos is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Alum Rock spend roughly 25.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Los Gatos.