Berkeley, CA vs La Mirada, CA

The cost of living difference between Berkeley, CA and La Mirada, CA is dramatic. La Mirada is 31.2% cheaper than Berkeley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Berkeley has a cost index of 216 while La Mirada sits at 165, 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 Berkeley is $2,127/month compared to $2,052/month in La Mirada — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: La Mirada is more affordable at $763,200 median vs $1,351,100.

Median household income in Berkeley is $108,558 compared to $110,177 in La Mirada (-1.5%). La Mirada offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Berkeley spend roughly 23.5% of their income on rent, more than the 22.3% in La Mirada.