Castaic, CA vs El Rio, CA

Castaic, CA and El Rio, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Castaic scores 152 while El Rio scores 157 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 Castaic is $1,751/month compared to $2,122/month in El Rio — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Castaic has cheaper rent, El Rio actually has lower median home values ($639,600 vs $710,400).

Median household income in Castaic is $132,153 compared to $83,233 in El Rio (+58.8%). Castaic offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Castaic spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, less than the 30.6% in El Rio. The Castaic ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.