Boulder Creek, CA vs Murphys, CA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Murphys is 25.1% cheaper than Boulder Creek. With a cost index of 128 vs 160, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Murphys to Boulder Creek should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Boulder Creek is $1,844/month compared to $1,581/month in Murphys — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Murphys is more affordable at $506,300 median vs $785,200.

Median household income in Boulder Creek is $106,842 compared to $54,875 in Murphys (+94.7%). While Boulder Creek is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Boulder Creek spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, less than the 34.6% in Murphys. The Boulder Creek ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.