Duarte, CA vs Franklin CDP (Merced County), CA

The cost of living difference between Duarte, CA and Franklin CDP (Merced County), CA is dramatic. Franklin CDP (Merced County) is 55.3% cheaper than Duarte, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Duarte has a cost index of 159 while Franklin CDP (Merced County) sits at 102, 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 Duarte is $1,991/month compared to $1,450/month in Franklin CDP (Merced County) — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Franklin CDP (Merced County) is more affordable at $285,700 median vs $710,700.

Median household income in Duarte is $97,952 compared to $56,274 in Franklin CDP (Merced County) (+74.1%). While Duarte is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Duarte spend roughly 24.4% of their income on rent, less than the 30.9% in Franklin CDP (Merced County). The Duarte ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Duarte is notably warmer with an average of 65.8°F compared to 62.3°F in Franklin CDP (Merced County). Duarte receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 11.8" in Franklin CDP (Merced County).