2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Barstow, CA vs Arcata, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Arcata or is it cheaper to live in Barstow?
- Arcata is 8.9% less expensive than Barstow.

Which city has more affordable housing, Arcata or Barstow?
- Arcata housing costs are 103.3% more expensive than Barstow housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Barstow or is Health Care more affordable in Arcata.
- Health related expenses are 29.1% more in Arcata.
 Barstow, CAArcata, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock108.0100
 Food & Groceries94.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock117.7100
 Housing67.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$444,300$338,100
 Utilities116  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock81.2100
 Miscellaneous111.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Barstow    14 Reviews

Mike · 

The positive of Barstow- yes there is something positive that can be said about Barstow. At least it's not as bad as South Lake Tahoe. The only reason it gets 2 stars  More

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Over 7 years ago

Just a place to travel thru. Cheap alternative to LA suburbs, about 70 miles or Palm Springs. It is in high Mojave desert, hot in the summer, 100-110, can get down  More

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Be careful is all I can say. I moved there with the focus to buy a home the investor Cliff Unegbu AKA Clifford Unegbu will rip off as many people as he can and use  More

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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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