Compton, CA vs Los Gatos, CA

The cost of living difference between Compton, CA and Los Gatos, CA is dramatic. Compton is 54.5% cheaper than Los Gatos, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Compton has a cost index of 134 while Los Gatos sits at 294, 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 Compton is $1,601/month compared to $2,969/month in Los Gatos — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Compton is more affordable at $546,700 median vs $2,000,001.

Median household income in Compton is $74,270 compared to $207,891 in Los Gatos (-64.3%). While Los Gatos is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Compton spend roughly 25.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Los Gatos.