Fullerton, CA vs Novato, CA

Fullerton is moderately more affordable than Novato, with a 11.2% lower cost of living index. Fullerton scores 175 compared to 197 for Novato, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Novato can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fullerton is $2,124/month compared to $2,422/month in Novato — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fullerton is more affordable at $859,600 median vs $1,007,100.

Median household income in Fullerton is $104,219 compared to $112,193 in Novato (-7.1%). The higher salaries in Novato partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fullerton spend roughly 24.5% of their income on rent, less than the 25.9% in Novato.

Climate-wise, Fullerton is notably warmer with an average of 66.2°F compared to 57.7°F in Novato. Novato receives more rainfall at 20.2" per year compared to 11.9" in Fullerton.