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

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Petaluma or is it cheaper to live in Gilroy?
- Petaluma is 34.3% less expensive than Gilroy.

Which city has more affordable housing, Petaluma or Gilroy?
- Petaluma housing costs are 9.9% less expensive than Gilroy housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Gilroy or is Health Care more affordable in Petaluma.
- Health related expenses are 2.4% more in Petaluma.
 Gilroy, CAPetaluma, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.8100
 Food & Groceries111.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.3100
 Housing312.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$839,600$338,100
 Utilities105  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock113.1100
 Miscellaneous156.2  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 Gilroy    4 Reviews

Over 14 years ago

I am in the process and figuring out where to move and I have been doing cost comparison, amoung other things, on different places. When will you be updating the tax  More

   |    Reply

Trust me, I love the ecosystem in Gilroy but the truth is that city as a whole does not care about its youth(nor the silicon vally in general but gilroy takes the  More

   |    Reply

Over 19 years ago

Since moving to Gilory six years ago, I've really fallen in love with the small town atmoshpere. I communte 30 minutes to San Jose along with my kids every day. That  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Gilroy

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.