Highland, CA vs La Crescenta-Montrose, CA

The cost of living difference between Highland, CA and La Crescenta-Montrose, CA is dramatic. Highland is 39.9% cheaper than La Crescenta-Montrose, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Highland has a cost index of 122 while La Crescenta-Montrose sits at 202, 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 Highland is $1,539/month compared to $2,231/month in La Crescenta-Montrose — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Highland is more affordable at $455,200 median vs $1,151,100.

Median household income in Highland is $77,979 compared to $119,775 in La Crescenta-Montrose (-34.9%). The higher salaries in La Crescenta-Montrose partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Highland spend roughly 23.7% of their income on rent, more than the 22.4% in La Crescenta-Montrose.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.3°F vs 65.2°F). La Crescenta-Montrose receives more rainfall at 13.9" per year compared to 10.7" in Highland.