Seaside, CA vs Tracy, CA

Seaside, CA and Tracy, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Seaside scores 167 while Tracy scores 162 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 Seaside is $2,314/month compared to $2,325/month in Tracy — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Seaside has cheaper rent, Tracy actually has lower median home values ($653,900 vs $692,600).

Median household income in Seaside is $82,303 compared to $118,253 in Tracy (-30.4%). Tracy offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Seaside spend roughly 33.7% of their income on rent, more than the 23.6% in Tracy. The Tracy ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Tracy is notably warmer with an average of 63°F compared to 57.3°F in Seaside. Seaside receives more rainfall at 16.2" per year compared to 13.5" in Tracy.