Fort Jones, CA vs Graton, CA

The cost of living difference between Fort Jones, CA and Graton, CA is dramatic. Fort Jones is 54.7% cheaper than Graton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fort Jones has a cost index of 89 while Graton sits at 197, 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 Fort Jones is $1,112/month compared to $2,770/month in Graton — a 60% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Jones is more affordable at $212,700 median vs $911,300.

Median household income in Fort Jones is $43,438 compared to $108,750 in Graton (-60.1%). While Graton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Jones spend roughly 30.7% of their income on rent, more than the 30.6% in Graton. The Graton ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Graton is notably warmer with an average of 58.1°F compared to 52.8°F in Fort Jones. Graton receives more rainfall at 33.8" per year compared to 12" in Fort Jones.