Monrovia, CA vs San Anselmo, CA

The cost of living difference between Monrovia, CA and San Anselmo, CA is dramatic. Monrovia is 30.2% cheaper than San Anselmo, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Monrovia has a cost index of 174 while San Anselmo sits at 250, 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 Monrovia is $2,009/month compared to $2,750/month in San Anselmo — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Monrovia is more affordable at $891,700 median vs $1,524,300.

Median household income in Monrovia is $97,083 compared to $170,457 in San Anselmo (-43%). While San Anselmo is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Monrovia spend roughly 24.8% of their income on rent, more than the 19.4% in San Anselmo.

Climate-wise, Monrovia is notably warmer with an average of 65.8°F compared to 57.7°F in San Anselmo. San Anselmo receives more rainfall at 22.9" per year compared to 14.3" in Monrovia.