Friant, CA vs Wawona, CA

The cost of living difference between Friant, CA and Wawona, CA is dramatic. Friant is 31.5% cheaper than Wawona, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Friant has a cost index of 91 while Wawona sits at 133, 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 Friant is $1,110/month compared to $1,140/month in Wawona — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Friant is more affordable at $260,200 median vs $739,600.

Median household income in Friant is $51,765 compared to $70,320 in Wawona (-26.4%). The higher salaries in Wawona partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Friant spend roughly 25.7% of their income on rent, more than the 19.5% in Wawona.

Climate-wise, Friant is notably warmer with an average of 65°F compared to 49.5°F in Wawona. Wawona receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 11" in Friant.