Davis, CA vs Laguna Beach, CA

The cost of living difference between Davis, CA and Laguna Beach, CA is dramatic. Davis is 41.9% cheaper than Laguna Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Davis has a cost index of 168 while Laguna Beach sits at 289, 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 Davis is $2,043/month compared to $2,802/month in Laguna Beach — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Davis is more affordable at $829,000 median vs $2,000,001.

Median household income in Davis is $87,421 compared to $140,508 in Laguna Beach (-37.8%). The higher salaries in Laguna Beach partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Davis spend roughly 28% of their income on rent, more than the 23.9% in Laguna Beach.