San Dimas, CA vs Scotts Valley, CA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. San Dimas is 15.3% cheaper than Scotts Valley. With a cost index of 170 vs 201, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from San Dimas to Scotts Valley should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in San Dimas is $2,232/month compared to $2,362/month in Scotts Valley — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: San Dimas is more affordable at $756,200 median vs $1,092,000.

Median household income in San Dimas is $105,833 compared to $140,887 in Scotts Valley (-24.9%). While Scotts Valley 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 Dimas spend roughly 25.3% of their income on rent, more than the 20.1% in Scotts Valley.

Climate-wise, San Dimas is notably warmer with an average of 66.8°F compared to 57.2°F in Scotts Valley. Scotts Valley receives more rainfall at 22.4" per year compared to 11.6" in San Dimas.