Del Mar, CA vs Half Moon Bay, CA

The cost of living difference between Del Mar, CA and Half Moon Bay, CA is dramatic. Half Moon Bay is 32% cheaper than Del Mar, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Del Mar has a cost index of 305 while Half Moon Bay sits at 231, 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 Del Mar is $3,377/month compared to $2,299/month in Half Moon Bay — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Half Moon Bay is more affordable at $1,467,000 median vs $2,000,001.

Median household income in Del Mar is $192,845 compared to $153,199 in Half Moon Bay (+25.9%). The higher salaries in Del Mar partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Del Mar spend roughly 21% of their income on rent, more than the 18% in Half Moon Bay.