Buellton, CA vs Los Osos, CA

Buellton, CA and Los Osos, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Buellton scores 164 while Los Osos scores 156 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Buellton is $2,196/month compared to $1,909/month in Los Osos — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Los Osos has cheaper rent, Buellton actually has lower median home values ($704,200 vs $728,000).

Median household income in Buellton is $96,028 compared to $103,504 in Los Osos (-7.2%). Los Osos offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Buellton spend roughly 27.4% of their income on rent, more than the 22.1% in Los Osos.