Auburn, CA vs Bell Gardens, CA

Auburn, CA and Bell Gardens, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Auburn scores 134 while Bell Gardens scores 134 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 Auburn is $1,432/month compared to $1,658/month in Bell Gardens — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Auburn has cheaper rent, Bell Gardens actually has lower median home values ($527,900 vs $642,400).

Median household income in Auburn is $77,760 compared to $55,372 in Bell Gardens (+40.4%). While Auburn is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 22.1% of their income on rent, less than the 35.9% in Bell Gardens. The Auburn ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.