Keyes, CA vs Murphys, CA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Keyes is 17.3% cheaper than Murphys. With a cost index of 106 vs 128, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Keyes to Murphys should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Keyes is $1,361/month compared to $1,581/month in Murphys — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Keyes is more affordable at $335,500 median vs $506,300.

Median household income in Keyes is $59,338 compared to $54,875 in Murphys (+8.1%). Keyes offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Keyes spend roughly 27.5% of their income on rent, less than the 34.6% in Murphys. The Keyes ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Keyes is notably warmer with an average of 63.1°F compared to 49.5°F in Murphys. Murphys receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 12.3" in Keyes.