2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Grass Valley, CA vs Petaluma, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Petaluma older or younger than people in Grass Valley?
- The Median Age in Petaluma is 4.2 years younger than in Grass Valley.

Are housing costs cheaper in Petaluma or Grass Valley?
- Petaluma housing costs are 68.8% more expensive than Grass Valley housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Petaluma or Grass Valley?
- The average commute for residents of Petaluma is 15.2 minutes longer than it is for residents of Grass Valley.

Things to do in Grass Valley?
Grass Valley is an independent township situated within Nevada County, California boasting plenty of activities like visiting its local museums like the Lake Spaulding Powerhouse suitable for anyone interested in the area's history plus nearby Empire Mine State Historic Park has various events and exhibits conveniently situated close by. There are also lots of shopping outlets and eateries providing unique items or delicious cuisine good for anyone looking to browse around or have a meal out during their visit here!

Things to do in Petaluma?
Petaluma, California is a charming city located in Sonoma County, approximately 52 miles north of San Francisco. The city was first settled by Europeans in the 1850s and is known today for its historic downtown area full of antique stores, restaurants and specialty shops. Petaluma has something for everyone with its unique shops, farms, vineyards, ranches, community events and scenic hikes. It has become an increasingly popular destination due to its laid-back atmosphere and close proximity to wine country and the Pacific Ocean. Whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation or a romantic getaway, Petaluma awaits!

 Grass Valley, CAPetaluma, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock60,050329,725,481
 Median Income$44,906  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock42.838.4
 Avg. Home Price$497,400  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time14.9  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Grass Valley    15 Reviews

I've lived many places in California. I've now lived in Grass Valley for 2 years. Grass Valley and it's sister Nevada City are adorable little towns full of history and  More

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Grass valley has become a sad place to live. I was born and raised here and can no longer afford to raise my small family here. Look up the median annual wage and the  More

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I'm 25 years old and I've lived in this town all of my life, and I'm saving every single dollar I make to leave here and never come back. It's a shame, because at one  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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