Del Mar, CA vs Lone Pine, CA

The cost of living difference between Del Mar, CA and Lone Pine, CA is dramatic. Lone Pine is 292% 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 Lone Pine sits at 78, 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 $784/month in Lone Pine — a 331% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lone Pine is more affordable at $192,800 median vs $2,000,001.

Median household income in Del Mar is $192,845 compared to $49,063 in Lone Pine (+293.1%). While Del Mar is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Del Mar spend roughly 21% of their income on rent, more than the 19.2% in Lone Pine.