Monrovia, CA vs San Dimas, CA: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

San Dimas, CA has a modeled overall cost index 26.3% lower than Monrovia, CA.

Monrovia, CA · modeled 2BR rent
$2,720 / month
San Dimas, CA · modeled 2BR rent
$3,120 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Monrovia, CA and San Dimas, CA using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

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Estimated savings: $1,742/month in San Dimas, CA

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $129,100 in San Dimas, CA

Regional cost estimates: Monrovia, CA uses Los Angeles, CA. San Dimas, CA uses Fontana, CA. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↓ 26.3%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,742
Savings
Annual Impact
$20.9K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Monrovia, CA

Population:37K
Cost Index:
155.0
100 = national average
Typical Home:$967K

San Dimas, CA

Population:33K
Cost Index:
114.2
100 = national average
Typical Home:$902K

Planning the move to San Dimas?

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Monrovia, CA

The Golden State

37K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 37K residents.

San Dimas, CA

The Golden State

33K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 33K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Monrovia, CA vs San Dimas, CA

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↓ 48.9%
Monrovia, CA
$3,981
San Dimas, CA
$2,035
Difference
$1,946
less
Transportation
↑ 7.4%
Monrovia, CA
$1,232
San Dimas, CA
$1,323
Difference
$90.72
more
Other
↑ 6.9%
Monrovia, CA
$988
San Dimas, CA
$1,057
Difference
$68.65
more
Groceries
↑ 3.5%
Monrovia, CA
$628
San Dimas, CA
$650
Difference
$22.08
more
All Utilities
↑ 3.6%
Monrovia, CA
$336
San Dimas, CA
$349
Difference
$12.17
more
Healthcare
↑ 3.2%
Monrovia, CA
$334
San Dimas, CA
$345
Difference
$10.54
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,950
To$2,230
↑ $280
1 Bed
From$2,180
To$2,500
↑ $320
2 Bed
From$2,720
To$3,120
↑ $400
3 Bed
From$3,450
To$3,960
↑ $510
Monrovia, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,180–$2,180/mo

San Dimas, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,500–$2,500/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Monrovia, CA
$5,758
Monthly in San Dimas, CA
$1,742
Difference

Home Values

Monrovia
San Dimas
$967K
Median Value
$902K
↑ +0.1%
YoY Change
↑ +0.6%
↑ +23.4%
5-Year Change
↑ +32.6%

Homes in San Dimas are 7% less expensive than Monrovia

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Monrovia, CA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
California State Tax
Effective: 7.1%
$10.6K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.8%
$47.6K
Take-Home Pay
$8,530/month
$102.4K

San Dimas, CA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
California State Tax
Effective: 7.1%
$10.6K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.8%
$47.6K
Take-Home Pay
$8,530/month
$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Monrovia, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%
Property Tax:0.8%

San Dimas, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%
Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Monrovia
San Dimas
80 Moderate
Air Quality
87 Moderate
10.4%
Good Air Days
10.9%
100 Very High
Climate Risk
100 Very High
🔥🌊🌅
Top Hazards
🔥🌊🌡
▲+2.6°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.8°F
17 days
Heat Days >95°F
82 days
▲+2.6°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.8°F
17 days
Heat Days >95°F
82 days

Before moving from Monrovia, CA to San Dimas, CA

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in San Dimas, CA for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Monrovia, CA. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Monrovia to San Dimas moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to San Dimas, CA by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Monrovia, CA vs San Dimas, CA

How do the cost estimates for Monrovia, CA and San Dimas, CA compare?

San Dimas, CA has a modeled overall cost index 26.3% lower than Monrovia, CA. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Monrovia, CA, the model estimates $129,100 in San Dimas, CA. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Monrovia, CA and San Dimas, CA?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $2,720/month in Monrovia, CA and $3,120/month in San Dimas, CA. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

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