Calistoga, CA vs Susanville, CA

The cost of living difference between Calistoga, CA and Susanville, CA is dramatic. Susanville is 77.6% cheaper than Calistoga, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Calistoga has a cost index of 151 while Susanville sits at 85, 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 Calistoga is $1,798/month compared to $905/month in Susanville — a 99% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Susanville is more affordable at $234,000 median vs $702,700.

Median household income in Calistoga is $84,892 compared to $57,607 in Susanville (+47.4%). The higher salaries in Calistoga partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Calistoga spend roughly 25.4% of their income on rent, more than the 18.9% in Susanville.