Del Mar, CA vs Home Gardens, CA

The cost of living difference between Del Mar, CA and Home Gardens, CA is dramatic. Home Gardens is 132.3% 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 Home Gardens sits at 131, 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 $1,744/month in Home Gardens — a 94% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Home Gardens is more affordable at $498,800 median vs $2,000,001.

Median household income in Del Mar is $192,845 compared to $92,344 in Home Gardens (+108.8%). 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, less than the 22.7% in Home Gardens.