Boulder Creek, CA vs Graton, CA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Boulder Creek is 19% cheaper than Graton. With a cost index of 160 vs 197, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Boulder Creek to Graton should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Boulder Creek is $1,844/month compared to $2,770/month in Graton — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Boulder Creek is more affordable at $785,200 median vs $911,300.

Median household income in Boulder Creek is $106,842 compared to $108,750 in Graton (-1.8%). Graton 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 Boulder Creek spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, less than the 30.6% in Graton. The Boulder Creek ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.