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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Berkeley or is it cheaper to live in Palo Alto?
- Berkeley is 15.4% less expensive than Palo Alto.

Which city has more affordable housing, Berkeley or Palo Alto?
- Berkeley housing costs are 54.3% less expensive than Palo Alto housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Palo Alto or is Health Care more affordable in Berkeley.
- Health related expenses are 8.4% more in Berkeley.
 Palo Alto, CABerkeley, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock195.5100
 Food & Groceries124.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock116.8100
 Housing1,139.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,320,600$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock118.7100
 Miscellaneous156.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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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Start Your Review of Palo Alto

Reviews for Berkeley    14 Reviews

Have lived in Berkeley for about 35 years now. Housing/Real Estate: If you're looking to move here, $1,000,000 will get you a small cottage in the "flats". Most of  More

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Over 12 years ago

We have the best climate -- summers and winters are mild. Lots of  More

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Over 14 years ago

The 60's have left Berkeley and now it is about MONEY...and the people there have plenty of it and nice hybrid cars (looks like 2 per household) and with a great bicycle  More

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