Burlingame, CA vs Hawthorne, CA

The cost of living difference between Burlingame, CA and Hawthorne, CA is dramatic. Hawthorne is 79.3% cheaper than Burlingame, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burlingame has a cost index of 285 while Hawthorne sits at 159, 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 Burlingame is $2,643/month compared to $1,723/month in Hawthorne — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hawthorne is more affordable at $813,700 median vs $2,000,001.

Median household income in Burlingame is $168,832 compared to $72,719 in Hawthorne (+132.2%). While Burlingame is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlingame spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, less than the 28.4% in Hawthorne.