Auburn, CA vs Montclair, CA

Auburn, CA and Montclair, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Auburn scores 134 while Montclair scores 136 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 $1,759/month in Montclair — a 19% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Auburn has cheaper rent, Montclair actually has lower median home values ($549,600 vs $642,400).

Median household income in Auburn is $77,760 compared to $76,338 in Montclair (+1.9%). Auburn offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 22.1% of their income on rent, less than the 27.7% in Montclair.