2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Gardena, CA vs Petaluma, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Petaluma or is it cheaper to live in Gardena?
- Petaluma is 6.1% less expensive than Gardena.

Which city has more affordable housing, Petaluma or Gardena?
- Petaluma housing costs are 18.7% more expensive than Gardena housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Gardena or is Health Care more affordable in Petaluma.
- Health related expenses are 22.3% more in Petaluma.
 Gardena, CAPetaluma, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.8100
 Food & Groceries101.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.3100
 Housing237.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$839,600$338,100
 Utilities91  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock113.1100
 Miscellaneous133.6  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 Gardena    6 Reviews

As an alumni of Maria Regina, I am extremely proud that I had the wonderful opportunity to send my children here. The quality of the Christian-Catholic education they  More

   |    Reply

1. Crime. Gardena is a relatively low income city and attracts a lot neighboring losers. You have to watch your surroundings at all times. One woman was severely  More

   |    Reply

My husband has a job opportunity in Gardena. We're considering leaving Seattle for the first time in our lives and moving to LA. We love our home and neighborhood, but  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Gardena

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Petaluma


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.