Occidental, CA vs Tehama, CA

The cost of living difference between Occidental, CA and Tehama, CA is dramatic. Tehama is 112.2% cheaper than Occidental, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Occidental has a cost index of 184 while Tehama sits at 87, 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 Occidental is $1,535/month compared to $877/month in Tehama — a 75% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Tehama is more affordable at $265,800 median vs $1,204,000.

Median household income in Occidental is $104,044 compared to $67,614 in Tehama (+53.9%). Occidental does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Occidental spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, more than the 15.6% in Tehama.

Climate-wise, Tehama is notably warmer with an average of 63.3°F compared to 53.5°F in Occidental. Occidental receives more rainfall at 28.9" per year compared to 23.1" in Tehama.