Lake Mathews, CA vs Mead Valley, CA
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Mead Valley is 23.2% cheaper than Lake Mathews. With a cost index of 123 vs 151, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Mead Valley to Lake Mathews should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Lake Mathews is $1,906/month compared to $1,673/month in Mead Valley — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mead Valley is more affordable at $417,700 median vs $678,300.
Median household income in Lake Mathews is $102,700 compared to $90,358 in Mead Valley (+13.7%). The higher salaries in Lake Mathews partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lake Mathews spend roughly 22.3% of their income on rent, more than the 22.2% in Mead Valley.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.3°F vs 63.3°F). Mead Valley receives more rainfall at 10.7" per year compared to 10.7" in Lake Mathews.
Income & Cost
Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)