Montclair, CA vs San Anselmo, CA

The cost of living difference between Montclair, CA and San Anselmo, CA is dramatic. Montclair is 45.5% cheaper than San Anselmo, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Montclair has a cost index of 136 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 Montclair is $1,759/month compared to $2,750/month in San Anselmo — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Montclair is more affordable at $549,600 median vs $1,524,300.

Median household income in Montclair is $76,338 compared to $170,457 in San Anselmo (-55.2%). 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 Montclair spend roughly 27.7% of their income on rent, more than the 19.4% in San Anselmo.

Climate-wise, Montclair is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 57.7°F in San Anselmo. San Anselmo receives more rainfall at 22.9" per year compared to 11.6" in Montclair.