Hamilton City, CA vs Lake Mathews, CA

The cost of living difference between Hamilton City, CA and Lake Mathews, CA is dramatic. Hamilton City is 42.1% cheaper than Lake Mathews, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hamilton City has a cost index of 87 while Lake Mathews sits at 151, 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 Hamilton City is $865/month compared to $1,906/month in Lake Mathews — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hamilton City is more affordable at $278,800 median vs $678,300.

Median household income in Hamilton City is $70,665 compared to $102,700 in Lake Mathews (-31.2%). The higher salaries in Lake Mathews partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hamilton City spend roughly 14.7% of their income on rent, less than the 22.3% in Lake Mathews.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.2°F vs 63.3°F). Hamilton City receives more rainfall at 25.7" per year compared to 10.7" in Lake Mathews.