Redlands, CA vs Seal Beach, CA

Redlands is moderately more affordable than Seal Beach, with a 7.4% lower cost of living index. Redlands scores 142 compared to 154 for Seal Beach, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Seal Beach can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Redlands is $1,883/month compared to $2,419/month in Seal Beach — a 22% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Redlands has cheaper rent, Seal Beach actually has lower median home values ($492,200 vs $583,000).

Median household income in Redlands is $99,158 compared to $83,045 in Seal Beach (+19.4%). Redlands offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Redlands spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, less than the 35% in Seal Beach. The Redlands ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.3°F vs 64.9°F). Seal Beach receives more rainfall at 12" per year compared to 10.7" in Redlands.