Barstow, CA vs Plumas Lake, CA

The cost of living difference between Barstow, CA and Plumas Lake, CA is dramatic. Barstow is 40.8% cheaper than Plumas Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barstow has a cost index of 88 while Plumas Lake sits at 149, 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 $2,290/month in Plumas Lake — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Barstow is more affordable at $222,600 median vs $525,900.

Median household income in Barstow is $51,811 compared to $114,083 in Plumas Lake (-54.6%). While Plumas Lake 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, more than the 24.1% in Plumas Lake.