2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Arcata, CA vs Redwood City, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Redwood City or is it cheaper to live in Arcata?
- Redwood City is 131.5% more expensive than Arcata.

Which city has more affordable housing, Redwood City or Arcata?
- Redwood City housing costs are 358.7% more expensive than Arcata housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Arcata or is Health Care more affordable in Redwood City.
- Health related expenses are 0.3% less in Redwood City.
 Arcata, CARedwood City, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock250.0100
 Food & Groceries101.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock117.4100
 Housing136.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,610,500$338,100
 Utilities88  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock138.9100
 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 Redwood City    11 Reviews

(Caveating everything with "it's Bay Area prices") Redwood City is a large sprawling town where you can find just about anything you're looking for. There's great  More

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The entire Bay Area is ridiculous. You can't compare it to other areas. RWC is reasonably cheap for the area. I pay $5K for a rental townhouse in one of the many  More

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Lovely weather. Safe place to live (I live in Redwood Shores). The only thing that keeps this place from being 5 stars is the cost of housing. When you have to pay an  More

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