Home / Compare / Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) vs Penryn

Cottonwood CDP (Kern County), CA vs Penryn, CA

86
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County)
California
VS
-38.2%
139
Penryn
California

The cost of living difference between Cottonwood CDP (Kern County), CA and Penryn, CA is dramatic. Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) is 38.2% cheaper than Penryn, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) has a cost index of 86 while Penryn sits at 139, 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 Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) is $947/month compared to $1,331/month in Penryn — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) is more affordable at $256,400 median vs $731,300.

Median household income in Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) is $40,339 compared to $121,302 in Penryn (-66.7%). While Penryn is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) spend roughly 28.2% of their income on rent, more than the 13.2% in Penryn.

Income & Cost

Cost of Living Index
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County)
86
38% cheaper
Penryn
139
Median Household Income
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County)
$40,339
Penryn
$121,302
67% higher

Housing

Median Rent
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County)
$947
29% cheaper
Penryn
$1,331
Median Home Value
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County)
$256,400
65% cheaper
Penryn
$731,300
Population
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County)
3,102
Penryn
1,059

Salary Equivalency Calculator

What does your salary in one city buy you in the other?

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Rent by Bedroom Size

HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average

Studio
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $1,440
Penryn $1,784
19% cheaper
1 Bed
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $1,630
Penryn $1,871
13% cheaper
2 Bed
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $2,070
Penryn $2,305
10% cheaper
3 Bed
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $2,650
Penryn $3,077
14% cheaper
4 Bed
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $2,920
Penryn $3,552
18% cheaper

Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

Gasoline (regular)
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $3.22
Penryn $3.22
US $3.07
🥚
Eggs (grade A, large)
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $2.62
Penryn $2.62
US $2.50
🥛
Milk (whole)
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $4.22
Penryn $4.22
US $4.03
🍞
Bread (white)
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $1.94
Penryn $1.94
US $1.85
🍗
Chicken breast
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $4.35
Penryn $4.35
US $4.14
Electricity
Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) $0.28
Penryn $0.26
US $0.19