Nevada City, CA vs Penryn, CA

Nevada City, CA and Penryn, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Nevada City scores 141 while Penryn scores 139 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 Nevada City is $1,756/month compared to $1,331/month in Penryn — a 32% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Penryn has cheaper rent, Nevada City actually has lower median home values ($607,300 vs $731,300).

Median household income in Nevada City is $69,552 compared to $121,302 in Penryn (-42.7%). Penryn offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Nevada City spend roughly 30.3% of their income on rent, more than the 13.2% in Penryn. The Penryn ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Penryn is notably warmer with an average of 63.4°F compared to 52.2°F in Nevada City. Nevada City receives more rainfall at 62.4" per year compared to 19.2" in Penryn.