Del Mar, CA vs Irwindale, CA

The cost of living difference between Del Mar, CA and Irwindale, CA is dramatic. Irwindale is 95.3% 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 Irwindale sits at 156, 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 $2,083/month in Irwindale — a 62% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Irwindale is more affordable at $645,800 median vs $2,000,001.

Median household income in Del Mar is $192,845 compared to $113,250 in Irwindale (+70.3%). 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 22.1% in Irwindale.