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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Rafael or is it cheaper to live in Sterling?
- San Rafael is 55.6% more expensive than Sterling.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Rafael or Sterling?
- San Rafael housing costs are 149.9% more expensive than Sterling housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Sterling or is Health Care more affordable in San Rafael.
- Health related expenses are 7.9% more in San Rafael.
 Sterling, VASan Rafael, CAUnited States
 Overall147.9230.1100
 Food & Groceries110.3113.5100
 Health102.0110.1100
 Housing178.2445.3100
 Median Home Cost$571,100$1,209,300$338,100
 Utilities9,860.0%9,730.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation118.6118.7100
 Miscellaneous147.2164.1100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Sterling    0 Reviews

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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

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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

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Over 16 years ago

Cost of living too high. Unfriendly  More

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