Pico Rivera, CA vs Shafter, CA

The cost of living difference between Pico Rivera, CA and Shafter, CA is dramatic. Shafter is 51.7% cheaper than Pico Rivera, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Pico Rivera has a cost index of 145 while Shafter sits at 96, 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 Pico Rivera is $1,775/month compared to $1,140/month in Shafter — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shafter is more affordable at $306,800 median vs $621,400.

Median household income in Pico Rivera is $86,956 compared to $67,989 in Shafter (+27.9%). The higher salaries in Pico Rivera partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Pico Rivera spend roughly 24.5% of their income on rent, more than the 20.1% in Shafter.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (65.8°F vs 66.2°F). Pico Rivera receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 6.4" in Shafter.