Durham, CA vs Redwood Valley, CA

Durham, CA and Redwood Valley, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.8% difference in their overall index. Durham scores 120 while Redwood Valley scores 125 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Durham is $1,092/month compared to $1,368/month in Redwood Valley — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Durham has cheaper rent, Redwood Valley actually has lower median home values ($549,100 vs $612,100).

Median household income in Durham is $120,778 compared to $53,163 in Redwood Valley (+127.2%). Durham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Durham spend roughly 10.8% of their income on rent, less than the 30.9% in Redwood Valley. The Durham ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Durham is notably warmer with an average of 63.2°F compared to 59.8°F in Redwood Valley. Redwood Valley receives more rainfall at 34.8" per year compared to 25.7" in Durham.