Bolinas, CA vs Tehama, CA

The cost of living difference between Bolinas, CA and Tehama, CA is dramatic. Tehama is 189.4% cheaper than Bolinas, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bolinas has a cost index of 251 while Tehama sits at 87, 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 Bolinas is $1,750/month compared to $877/month in Tehama — a 100% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Tehama is more affordable at $265,800 median vs $1,909,100.

Median household income in Bolinas is $95,192 compared to $67,614 in Tehama (+40.8%). Bolinas does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Bolinas spend roughly 22.1% of their income on rent, more than the 15.6% in Tehama.