Matheny, CA vs Murphys, CA

The cost of living difference between Matheny, CA and Murphys, CA is dramatic. Matheny is 31.8% cheaper than Murphys, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Matheny has a cost index of 87 while Murphys sits at 128, 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 Matheny is $1,250/month compared to $1,581/month in Murphys — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Matheny is more affordable at $167,000 median vs $506,300.

Median household income in Matheny is $68,269 compared to $54,875 in Murphys (+24.4%). Matheny offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Matheny spend roughly 22% of their income on rent, less than the 34.6% in Murphys. The Matheny ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Matheny is notably warmer with an average of 63.4°F compared to 49.5°F in Murphys. Murphys receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 8.1" in Matheny.