Bell Gardens, CA vs Downey, CA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Bell Gardens is 15% cheaper than Downey. With a cost index of 134 vs 157, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Bell Gardens to Downey should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bell Gardens is $1,658/month compared to $1,892/month in Downey — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bell Gardens is more affordable at $527,900 median vs $728,500.

Median household income in Bell Gardens is $55,372 compared to $87,400 in Downey (-36.6%). While Downey 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 Gardens spend roughly 35.9% of their income on rent, more than the 26% in Downey. The Downey ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.