2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Arcata, CA vs Half Moon Bay, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Half Moon Bay or is it cheaper to live in Arcata?
- Half Moon Bay is 131.5% more expensive than Arcata.

Which city has more affordable housing, Half Moon Bay or Arcata?
- Half Moon Bay housing costs are 270.0% more expensive than Arcata housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Arcata or is Health Care more affordable in Half Moon Bay.
- Health related expenses are 0.3% less in Half Moon Bay.
 Arcata, CAHalf Moon Bay, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock250.0100
 Food & Groceries101.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock117.4100
 Housing136.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,472,800$338,100
 Utilities88  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock146.5100
 Miscellaneous117.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Arcata    17 Reviews

Pros: Nature hikes Cons: One of highest crime rates in the nation. Opioid epidemic going on (you’ll regularly witness drug deals and ppl doing drugs) No  More

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It takes a special set of preferences to select Arcata. Is this you? - You love clouds and fog. You are happy if you see the sun maybe 10-20 times a year. - Chilly  More

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Over 11 years ago

I've lived in Humboldt for over 30 yrs and know all the areas well. Arcata is the jewel of Humboldt due to having a university and many liberal creative people. There is  More

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Reviews for Half Moon Bay    3 Reviews

HMB has one of the best climates in the world. It also has some very good restaurants. You have the ocean on one side and scenic foothills to the east.It would be heaven  More

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Over 19 years ago

Rural coastal living in a great community close to San Francisco and Silicon  More

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Over 20 years ago

I lived in HMB for 17 years and loved (almost) every minute there. Beautiful hills to the east of the town and the Pacific ocean to the west. Close to San Francisco,  More

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