Placerville, CA vs Vandenberg AFB, CA
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Placerville is 19.4% cheaper than Vandenberg AFB. With a cost index of 112 vs 139, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Placerville to Vandenberg AFB should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
Renters will find that Placerville has a median rent of $1,229/month while Vandenberg AFB comes in at $2,462/month, a 50% difference.
Median household income in Placerville is $70,602 compared to $83,096 in Vandenberg AFB (-15%). The higher salaries in Vandenberg AFB partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Placerville spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, less than the 35.6% in Vandenberg AFB. The Placerville ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.
Climate-wise, Placerville is notably warmer with an average of 63.4°F compared to 58.6°F in Vandenberg AFB. Placerville receives more rainfall at 19.2" per year compared to 13.3" in Vandenberg AFB.
Income & Cost
Housing
Salary Equivalency Calculator
What does your salary in one city buy you in the other?
Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)