McKinleyville, CA vs Silver Lakes, CA

McKinleyville, CA and Silver Lakes, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. McKinleyville scores 116 while Silver Lakes scores 114 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in McKinleyville is $1,441/month compared to $1,585/month in Silver Lakes — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while McKinleyville has cheaper rent, Silver Lakes actually has lower median home values ($345,600 vs $414,200).

Median household income in McKinleyville is $66,096 compared to $111,857 in Silver Lakes (-40.9%). 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 McKinleyville spend roughly 26.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17% in Silver Lakes.

Climate-wise, Silver Lakes is notably warmer with an average of 68°F compared to 52.5°F in McKinleyville. McKinleyville receives more rainfall at 46.1" per year compared to 3.8" in Silver Lakes.