2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Berkeley, CA vs Arroyo Grande, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Arroyo Grande or is it cheaper to live in Berkeley?
- Arroyo Grande is 25.3% less expensive than Berkeley.

Which city has more affordable housing, Arroyo Grande or Berkeley?
- Arroyo Grande housing costs are 47.8% less expensive than Berkeley housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Berkeley or is Health Care more affordable in Arroyo Grande.
- Health related expenses are 6.8% less in Arroyo Grande.
 Berkeley, CAArroyo Grande, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock146.1100
 Food & Groceries114.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock108.9100
 Housing521.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$905,700$338,100
 Utilities91  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock94.7100
 Miscellaneous158.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Berkeley    14 Reviews

Have lived in Berkeley for about 35 years now. Housing/Real Estate: If you're looking to move here, $1,000,000 will get you a small cottage in the "flats". Most of  More

   |    Reply

Over 12 years ago

We have the best climate -- summers and winters are mild. Lots of  More

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

The 60's have left Berkeley and now it is about MONEY...and the people there have plenty of it and nice hybrid cars (looks like 2 per household) and with a great bicycle  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Berkeley

Reviews for Arroyo Grande    8 Reviews

Over 7 years ago

Arroyo Grande is a nice place to live. However, it is rather expensive for many people. There is a large retirement community living here, and home and rental prices are  More

   |    Reply

Over 8 years ago

I've lived here for nearly thirty years and love it. Great, easy climate year round. I know what I'm talking about--having lived in San Francisco Bay Area, Nevada,  More

   |    Reply

People from here absolutely love it and refuse to admit that it is much too expensive. They hate change. To live in a good school area will cost you dearly. There is  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Arroyo Grande


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.