Bell, CA vs Sierra Madre, CA

The cost of living difference between Bell, CA and Sierra Madre, CA is dramatic. Bell is 33.4% cheaper than Sierra Madre, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bell has a cost index of 133 while Sierra Madre sits at 200, 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 Bell is $1,538/month compared to $2,086/month in Sierra Madre — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bell is more affordable at $561,400 median vs $1,172,200.

Median household income in Bell is $60,641 compared to $141,094 in Sierra Madre (-57%). While Sierra Madre 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 17.7% in Sierra Madre. The Sierra Madre ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.