Home / Select Cities  /  2024 Comparing San Rafael, CA vs. Novato, CA

2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Rafael, CA vs Novato, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Novato or is it cheaper to live in San Rafael?
- Novato is 0.0% more expensive than San Rafael.

Which city has more affordable housing, Novato or San Rafael?
- Novato housing costs are 21.1% less expensive than San Rafael housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Rafael or is Health Care more affordable in Novato.
- Health related expenses are 0.0% less in Novato.
 San Rafael, CANovato, CAUnited States
 Overall230.1230.1100
 Food & Groceries113.5111.9100
 Health110.1110.1100
 Housing445.3351.3100
 Median Home Cost$1,209,300$1,052,000$338,100
 Utilities9,730.0%9,540.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation118.7124.4100
 Miscellaneous164.1164.6100

100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

View More Data >

Reviews for San Rafael    7 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

San Rafael is only 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco, but the weather is completely different. It's sunny most of the year, including in the summer when the city  More

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

I feal very safe in this town. I think getting stopped for talking on your cell phone while driving is a big deal here. Thats about all I can  More

   |    Reply

Over 16 years ago

Cost of living too high. Unfriendly  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Rafael

Reviews for Novato    9 Reviews

Lush hills, hiking trails, and easy access to both wine country and San Francisco. We love it here.  More

   |    Reply

Over 9 years ago

Novato is a family oriented community located about 20 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge. The quality of life is excellent here assuming your job pays you enough to  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

We recently moved to a secluded neighborhood in Novato after 25 years in central Marin. While there are fewer restaurants and galleries, we are very pleased with our  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Novato

 Most Recent Searches On Compare Cities
COMPARE COST OF LIVING
Compare San Rafael, California Cost of Living vs Novato, California Cost of Living: Taxes, Childcare, Groceries, Health...
Compare Now


ZIPS IN SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA
94901 94903 94964
ZIPS IN NOVATO, CALIFORNIA
94947 94945 94949

PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.

Try Now