Laguna Woods, CA vs Silver Lakes, CA
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Silver Lakes is 20.9% cheaper than Laguna Woods. With a cost index of 114 vs 138, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Silver Lakes to Laguna Woods should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Laguna Woods is $2,232/month compared to $1,585/month in Silver Lakes — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Silver Lakes is more affordable at $345,600 median vs $364,900.
Median household income in Laguna Woods is $60,235 compared to $111,857 in Silver Lakes (-46.1%). Silver Lakes offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Laguna Woods spend roughly 44.5% of their income on rent, more than the 17% in Silver Lakes. The Silver Lakes ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.
Climate-wise, Silver Lakes is notably warmer with an average of 68°F compared to 64.9°F in Laguna Woods. Laguna Woods receives more rainfall at 11.2" per year compared to 3.8" in Silver Lakes.
Income & Cost
Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)