Clayton, CA vs Dana Point, CA

Clayton, CA and Dana Point, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Clayton scores 231 while Dana Point scores 226 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 Clayton is $3,501/month compared to $2,883/month in Dana Point — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Dana Point has cheaper rent, Clayton actually has lower median home values ($1,017,300 vs $1,200,900).

Median household income in Clayton is $172,226 compared to $127,246 in Dana Point (+35.3%). While Clayton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Clayton spend roughly 24.4% of their income on rent, less than the 27.2% in Dana Point.