Glen Ellen, CA vs Stinson Beach, CA

Glen Ellen is moderately more affordable than Stinson Beach, with a 12.3% lower cost of living index. Glen Ellen scores 201 compared to 229 for Stinson Beach, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Stinson Beach can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Glen Ellen is $1,564/month compared to $2,291/month in Stinson Beach — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Glen Ellen is more affordable at $1,402,800 median vs $1,447,900.

Median household income in Glen Ellen is $213,261 compared to $117,000 in Stinson Beach (+82.3%). Glen Ellen offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Glen Ellen spend roughly 8.8% of their income on rent, less than the 23.5% in Stinson Beach.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (57.7°F vs 57.7°F). Stinson Beach receives more rainfall at 22.9" per year compared to 20.2" in Glen Ellen.