Lakewood, CA vs Walnut, CA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lakewood is 18.8% cheaper than Walnut. With a cost index of 174 vs 215, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lakewood to Walnut should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lakewood is $2,324/month compared to $3,120/month in Walnut — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lakewood is more affordable at $774,100 median vs $972,500.

Median household income in Lakewood is $116,794 compared to $133,762 in Walnut (-12.7%). The higher salaries in Walnut partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lakewood spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, less than the 28% in Walnut.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.9°F vs 66.1°F). Lakewood receives more rainfall at 12" per year compared to 10" in Walnut.