Barstow, CA vs Camarillo, CA

The cost of living difference between Barstow, CA and Camarillo, CA is dramatic. Barstow is 51.8% cheaper than Camarillo, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barstow has a cost index of 88 while Camarillo sits at 183, 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 Barstow is $1,065/month compared to $2,650/month in Camarillo — a 60% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Barstow is more affordable at $222,600 median vs $766,100.

Median household income in Barstow is $51,811 compared to $109,390 in Camarillo (-52.6%). While Camarillo is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Barstow spend roughly 24.7% of their income on rent, less than the 29.1% in Camarillo.