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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Petaluma or is it cheaper to live in Palo Alto?
- Petaluma is 34.3% less expensive than Palo Alto.

Which city has more affordable housing, Petaluma or Palo Alto?
- Petaluma housing costs are 75.3% less expensive than Palo Alto housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Palo Alto or is Health Care more affordable in Petaluma.
- Health related expenses are 2.4% more in Petaluma.
 Palo Alto, CAPetaluma, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.8100
 Food & Groceries124.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.3100
 Housing1,139.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$839,600$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock113.1100
 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 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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