Rio del Mar, CA vs Windsor, CA

The cost of living difference between Rio del Mar, CA and Windsor, CA is dramatic. Windsor is 44.4% cheaper than Rio del Mar, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Rio del Mar has a cost index of 238 while Windsor sits at 164, 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 Rio del Mar is $3,172/month compared to $2,087/month in Windsor — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Windsor is more affordable at $763,200 median vs $1,242,600.

Median household income in Rio del Mar is $150,313 compared to $129,004 in Windsor (+16.5%). Rio del Mar does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Rio del Mar spend roughly 25.3% of their income on rent, more than the 19.4% in Windsor.