2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Alameda, CA vs Carlsbad, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Carlsbad or is it cheaper to live in Alameda?
- Carlsbad is 20.8% less expensive than Alameda.

Which city has more affordable housing, Carlsbad or Alameda?
- Carlsbad housing costs are 7.7% less expensive than Alameda housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Alameda or is Health Care more affordable in Carlsbad.
- Health related expenses are 23.8% less in Carlsbad.
 Alameda, CACarlsbad, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries112.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing424.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,320,200$338,100
 Utilities89  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock125.6100
 Miscellaneous159.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Alameda    6 Reviews

Over 7 years ago

Having been born here & 70 now I have watched firsthand, a small, quiet town ruined by excessive building, overcrowding and far too many restaurants for a city this  More

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Enjoy the immense benefit to having a close-knit community with main-street USA feel less than 10 miles from the resources of several urban and education  More

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Alameda, CA is a unique town here in the Bay Area. Perhaps because it is an island, or perhaps because for many decades it was a U.S. Army base, the city has never  More

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Reviews for Carlsbad    38 Reviews

I've lived in Carlsbad (92008) for 8 years now and really appreciate all that it has to offer. Yes, ALL of San Diego County is expensive, but Carlsbad has [possibly]  More

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Over 4 years ago

Carlson has the worst winters. It averages about 10 meters of snow per week. Every shop is  More

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Ok, I get it, the climate is mild and tolerable but even that is over-rated when you consider how many cloudy days there are in this town. The sun coming out at 3 and  More

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