Emeryville, CA vs Monrovia, CA

Emeryville, CA and Monrovia, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.1% difference in their overall index. Emeryville scores 176 while Monrovia scores 174 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 Emeryville is $2,833/month compared to $2,009/month in Monrovia — a 41% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Monrovia has cheaper rent, Emeryville actually has lower median home values ($598,300 vs $891,700).

Median household income in Emeryville is $120,302 compared to $97,083 in Monrovia (+23.9%). While Emeryville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Emeryville spend roughly 28.3% of their income on rent, more than the 24.8% in Monrovia.

Climate-wise, Monrovia is notably warmer with an average of 65.8°F compared to 57.7°F in Emeryville. Emeryville receives more rainfall at 22.9" per year compared to 14.3" in Monrovia.