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San Clemente, CA vs West Puente Valley, CA

213
San Clemente
California
VS
+35.7%
157
West Puente Valley
California

The cost of living difference between San Clemente, CA and West Puente Valley, CA is dramatic. West Puente Valley is 35.7% cheaper than San Clemente, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. San Clemente has a cost index of 213 while West Puente Valley sits at 157, 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 San Clemente is $2,398/month compared to $2,250/month in West Puente Valley — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West Puente Valley is more affordable at $591,800 median vs $1,220,500.

Median household income in San Clemente is $134,735 compared to $86,692 in West Puente Valley (+55.4%). While San Clemente is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of San Clemente spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, less than the 31.1% in West Puente Valley. The San Clemente ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Income & Cost

Cost of Living Index
San Clemente
213
West Puente Valley
157
26% cheaper
Median Household Income
San Clemente
$134,735
36% higher
West Puente Valley
$86,692

Housing

Median Rent
San Clemente
$2,398
West Puente Valley
$2,250
6% cheaper
Median Home Value
San Clemente
$1,220,500
West Puente Valley
$591,800
52% cheaper
Population
San Clemente
63,510
West Puente Valley
22,198

Salary Equivalency Calculator

What does your salary in one city buy you in the other?

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Rent by Bedroom Size

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

Studio
San Clemente $2,031
West Puente Valley $2,031
1 Bed
San Clemente $2,272
West Puente Valley $2,272
2 Bed
San Clemente $2,835
West Puente Valley $2,835
3 Bed
San Clemente $3,599
West Puente Valley $3,599
4 Bed
San Clemente $4,010
West Puente Valley $4,010

Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

Gasoline (regular)
San Clemente $3.28
West Puente Valley $3.28
US $3.07
🥚
Eggs (grade A, large)
San Clemente $2.68
West Puente Valley $2.68
US $2.50
🥛
Milk (whole)
San Clemente $4.31
West Puente Valley $4.31
US $4.03
🍞
Bread (white)
San Clemente $1.98
West Puente Valley $1.98
US $1.85
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Chicken breast
San Clemente $4.44
West Puente Valley $4.44
US $4.14
Electricity
San Clemente $0.27
West Puente Valley $0.27
US $0.19