Lenwood, CA vs Sierra Madre, CA
The cost of living difference between Lenwood, CA and Sierra Madre, CA is dramatic. Lenwood is 58.5% cheaper than Sierra Madre, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lenwood has a cost index of 83 while Sierra Madre sits at 200, 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 Lenwood is $1,117/month compared to $2,086/month in Sierra Madre — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lenwood is more affordable at $139,600 median vs $1,172,200.
Median household income in Lenwood is $70,714 compared to $141,094 in Sierra Madre (-49.9%). The higher salaries in Sierra Madre partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lenwood spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 17.7% in Sierra Madre.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (68°F vs 65.8°F). Sierra Madre receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 3.8" in Lenwood.
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)