Home / Compare / Placerville vs Vandenberg AFB

Placerville, CA vs Vandenberg AFB, CA

112
Placerville
California
VS
-19.4%
139
Vandenberg AFB
California

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

Cost of Living Index
Placerville
112
19% cheaper
Vandenberg AFB
139
Median Household Income
Placerville
$70,602
Vandenberg AFB
$83,096
15% higher

Housing

Median Rent
Placerville
$1,229
50% cheaper
Vandenberg AFB
$2,462
Median Home Value
Placerville
$450,600
Vandenberg AFB
Population
Placerville
10,730
Vandenberg AFB
3,688

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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Rent by Bedroom Size

HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average

Studio
Placerville $1,784
Vandenberg AFB $2,770
36% cheaper
1 Bed
Placerville $1,871
Vandenberg AFB $3,090
39% cheaper
2 Bed
Placerville $2,305
Vandenberg AFB $3,520
35% cheaper
3 Bed
Placerville $3,077
Vandenberg AFB $4,590
33% cheaper
4 Bed
Placerville $3,552
Vandenberg AFB $5,230
32% cheaper

Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

Gasoline (regular)
Placerville $3.22
Vandenberg AFB $3.22
US $3.07
🥚
Eggs (grade A, large)
Placerville $2.62
Vandenberg AFB $2.62
US $2.50
🥛
Milk (whole)
Placerville $4.22
Vandenberg AFB $4.22
US $4.03
🍞
Bread (white)
Placerville $1.94
Vandenberg AFB $1.94
US $1.85
🍗
Chicken breast
Placerville $4.35
Vandenberg AFB $4.35
US $4.14
Electricity
Placerville $0.26
Vandenberg AFB $0.25
US $0.19

Climate

NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)

Avg Temp
Placerville 63.4°F
Vandenberg AFB 58.6°F
Summer High
Placerville 94°F
Vandenberg AFB 73°F
Winter Low
Placerville 41°F
Vandenberg AFB 41°F
Rainfall
Placerville 19.2"
Vandenberg AFB 13.3"
Rainy Days
Placerville 61d
Vandenberg AFB 47d