2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Boston, MA vs Petaluma, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Petaluma or is it cheaper to live in Boston?
- Petaluma is 0.7% more expensive than Boston.

Which city has more affordable housing, Petaluma or Boston?
- Petaluma housing costs are 23.2% more expensive than Boston housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Boston or is Health Care more affordable in Petaluma.
- Health related expenses are 23.0% more in Petaluma.
 Boston, MAPetaluma, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.8100
 Food & Groceries111.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.3100
 Housing228.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$839,600$338,100
 Utilities117  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock113.1100
 Miscellaneous157.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Boston    122 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

health care in the country, plenty of jobs, gorgeous architecture, cool neighborhoods, lots of great restaurants, and always something to do. The beautiful coast, the  More

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I've lived in/near Boston my whole life almost. It has many pros such as a big city feel, extremely safe, reliable train transportation, great food. However any pro  More

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I moved to MA from the country of Georgia in eastern Europe. Then traveled quite a bit in the U.S. Boston definitely has its own flavor. Suburbs offer okay schools,  More

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Reviews for Petaluma    16 Reviews

I agree with the low star reviews. Been here for 25 years, raised a family and seen everything turn to the left and worse. Weather is glorious, love the old Victorians  More

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We’ve lived here for 3 years and we love it. It has taken some time to grow on us. We moved from SF where we had lived over 15 years, we were not used to one year leases  More

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I’ve lived here a couple of years (after living in others parts of the Bay Area for 15+ years) and I love it! Great neighborhoods, friendly folks, good schools with  More

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