San Clemente, CA vs Stevenson Ranch, CA

San Clemente, CA and Stevenson Ranch, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. San Clemente scores 213 while Stevenson Ranch scores 209 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 San Clemente is $2,398/month compared to $2,777/month in Stevenson Ranch — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while San Clemente has cheaper rent, Stevenson Ranch actually has lower median home values ($1,033,300 vs $1,220,500).

Median household income in San Clemente is $134,735 compared to $146,404 in Stevenson Ranch (-8%). Stevenson Ranch offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of San Clemente spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, less than the 22.8% in Stevenson Ranch.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.9°F vs 66.6°F). Stevenson Ranch receives more rainfall at 13.4" per year compared to 11.2" in San Clemente.