2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Novato, CA vs Palo Alto, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Palo Alto or is it cheaper to live in Novato?
- Palo Alto is 0.4% more expensive than Novato.

Which city has more affordable housing, Palo Alto or Novato?
- Palo Alto housing costs are 224.5% more expensive than Novato housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Novato or is Health Care more affordable in Palo Alto.
- Health related expenses are 2.2% less in Palo Alto.
 Novato, CAPalo Alto, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock231.0100
 Food & Groceries111.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock107.7100
 Housing351.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$3,107,600$338,100
 Utilities95  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock140.6100
 Miscellaneous164.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Novato    9 Reviews

Lush hills, hiking trails, and easy access to both wine country and San Francisco. We love it here.  More

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Over 10 years ago

Novato is a family oriented community located about 20 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge. The quality of life is excellent here assuming your job pays you enough to  More

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Over 11 years ago

We recently moved to a secluded neighborhood in Novato after 25 years in central Marin. While there are fewer restaurants and galleries, we are very pleased with our  More

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Reviews for Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

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Over 17 years ago

Very  More

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Over 18 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  More

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