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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Charlottesville or is it cheaper to live in Palo Alto?
- Charlottesville is 54.5% less expensive than Palo Alto.

Which city has more affordable housing, Charlottesville or Palo Alto?
- Charlottesville housing costs are 88.0% less expensive than Palo Alto housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Palo Alto or is Health Care more affordable in Charlottesville.
- Health related expenses are 1.2% less in Charlottesville.
 Palo Alto, CACharlottesville, VAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.2100
 Food & Groceries124.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock106.4100
 Housing1,139.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$429,400$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock72.0100
 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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Reviews for Charlottesville    44 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I have lived in Charlottesville, Albemarle County for 25 years. It USED to be a decent place but in the past 10 years has gone downhill. Rent is TOO high, landlords are  More

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Over 4 years ago

Loved here for 7 years, lots of parks and close proximity to Shenandoah, but that’s where the positives end. High cost of living with extreme income inequality,  More

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Over 4 years ago

Charlottesville resident for 7 years. Plenty of parks, the Rivanna River and trail, and a short drive to Shenandoah National Park means plenty of opportunities for  More

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