Bell, CA vs Home Gardens, CA

Bell, CA and Home Gardens, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.1% difference in their overall index. Bell scores 133 while Home Gardens scores 131 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 $1,744/month in Home Gardens — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bell has cheaper rent, Home Gardens actually has lower median home values ($498,800 vs $561,400).

Median household income in Bell is $60,641 compared to $92,344 in Home Gardens (-34.3%). Home Gardens offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bell spend roughly 30.4% of their income on rent, more than the 22.7% in Home Gardens. The Home Gardens ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.