Bell Gardens, CA vs Richmond, CA

Bell Gardens is moderately more affordable than Richmond, with a 12% lower cost of living index. Bell Gardens scores 134 compared to 152 for Richmond, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Richmond can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bell Gardens is $1,658/month compared to $1,895/month in Richmond — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bell Gardens is more affordable at $527,900 median vs $650,100.

Median household income in Bell Gardens is $55,372 compared to $90,038 in Richmond (-38.5%). While Richmond 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 25.3% in Richmond. The Richmond ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.