Bell Gardens, CA vs Grand Terrace, CA

Bell Gardens, CA and Grand Terrace, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Bell Gardens scores 134 while Grand Terrace scores 130 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 Gardens is $1,658/month compared to $1,782/month in Grand Terrace — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bell Gardens has cheaper rent, Grand Terrace actually has lower median home values ($465,800 vs $527,900).

Median household income in Bell Gardens is $55,372 compared to $83,668 in Grand Terrace (-33.8%). Grand Terrace 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 Gardens spend roughly 35.9% of their income on rent, more than the 25.6% in Grand Terrace. The Grand Terrace ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.