Fairmead, CA vs Pine Grove, CA

Fairmead is moderately more affordable than Pine Grove, with a 12.3% lower cost of living index. Fairmead scores 92 compared to 104 for Pine Grove, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Pine Grove can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairmead is $1,221/month compared to $1,167/month in Pine Grove — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Pine Grove has cheaper rent, Fairmead actually has lower median home values ($220,700 vs $375,100).

Median household income in Fairmead is $44,375 compared to $70,675 in Pine Grove (-37.2%). While Pine Grove is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairmead spend roughly 33% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Pine Grove. The Pine Grove ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.3°F vs 63.4°F). Pine Grove receives more rainfall at 19.2" per year compared to 10.8" in Fairmead.