San Dimas, CA vs San Marcos, CA

San Dimas, CA and San Marcos, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. San Dimas scores 170 while San Marcos scores 170 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 Dimas is $2,232/month compared to $2,191/month in San Marcos — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while San Marcos has cheaper rent, San Dimas actually has lower median home values ($756,200 vs $792,400).

Median household income in San Dimas is $105,833 compared to $105,286 in San Marcos (+0.5%). San Dimas 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 Dimas spend roughly 25.3% of their income on rent, more than the 25% in San Marcos.

Climate-wise, San Dimas is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 62.5°F in San Marcos. San Dimas receives more rainfall at 11.6" per year compared to 11.4" in San Marcos.