Stinson Beach, CA vs Wawona, CA

The cost of living difference between Stinson Beach, CA and Wawona, CA is dramatic. Wawona is 71.8% cheaper than Stinson Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Stinson Beach has a cost index of 229 while Wawona sits at 133, 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 Stinson Beach is $2,291/month compared to $1,140/month in Wawona — a 101% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wawona is more affordable at $739,600 median vs $1,447,900.

Median household income in Stinson Beach is $117,000 compared to $70,320 in Wawona (+66.4%). The higher salaries in Stinson Beach partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Stinson Beach spend roughly 23.5% of their income on rent, more than the 19.5% in Wawona.

Climate-wise, Stinson Beach is notably warmer with an average of 57.7°F compared to 49.5°F in Wawona. Wawona receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 22.9" in Stinson Beach.