Rio del Mar, CA vs South Pasadena, CA

Rio del Mar, CA and South Pasadena, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Rio del Mar scores 238 while South Pasadena scores 234 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Rio del Mar is $3,172/month compared to $2,218/month in South Pasadena — a 43% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while South Pasadena has cheaper rent, Rio del Mar actually has lower median home values ($1,242,600 vs $1,545,100).

Median household income in Rio del Mar is $150,313 compared to $128,105 in South Pasadena (+17.3%). While Rio del Mar is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Rio del Mar spend roughly 25.3% of their income on rent, more than the 20.8% in South Pasadena.

Climate-wise, South Pasadena is notably warmer with an average of 65.8°F compared to 57.2°F in Rio del Mar. Rio del Mar receives more rainfall at 22.4" per year compared to 14.3" in South Pasadena.