Dana Point, CA vs Sierra Madre, CA

Sierra Madre is moderately more affordable than Dana Point, with a 13.3% lower cost of living index. Dana Point scores 226 compared to 200 for Sierra Madre, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Dana Point can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Dana Point is $2,883/month compared to $2,086/month in Sierra Madre — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sierra Madre is more affordable at $1,172,200 median vs $1,200,900.

Median household income in Dana Point is $127,246 compared to $141,094 in Sierra Madre (-9.8%). Sierra Madre offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Dana Point spend roughly 27.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17.7% in Sierra Madre.