Ballard, CA vs Clear Creek, CA

The cost of living difference between Ballard, CA and Clear Creek, CA is dramatic. Clear Creek is 162.5% cheaper than Ballard, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ballard has a cost index of 239 while Clear Creek sits at 91, 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 Ballard is $2,260/month compared to $1,110/month in Clear Creek — a 104% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clear Creek is more affordable at $231,900 median vs $1,589,300.

Median household income in Ballard is $113,750 compared to $48,417 in Clear Creek (+134.9%). The higher salaries in Ballard partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Ballard spend roughly 23.8% of their income on rent, less than the 27.5% in Clear Creek.