Bell, CA vs Compton, CA

Bell, CA and Compton, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Bell scores 133 while Compton scores 134 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 Bell is $1,538/month compared to $1,601/month in Compton — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bell has cheaper rent, Compton actually has lower median home values ($546,700 vs $561,400).

Median household income in Bell is $60,641 compared to $74,270 in Compton (-18.4%). While Compton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bell spend roughly 30.4% of their income on rent, more than the 25.9% in Compton. The Compton ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.