Barstow, CA vs Gonzales, CA

The cost of living difference between Barstow, CA and Gonzales, CA is dramatic. Barstow is 35.2% cheaper than Gonzales, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barstow has a cost index of 88 while Gonzales sits at 136, 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 $1,570/month in Gonzales — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Barstow is more affordable at $222,600 median vs $593,900.

Median household income in Barstow is $51,811 compared to $76,060 in Gonzales (-31.9%). The higher salaries in Gonzales partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Barstow spend roughly 24.7% of their income on rent, less than the 24.8% in Gonzales.