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2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Palo Alto, CA vs San Rafael, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Rafael or is it cheaper to live in Palo Alto?
- San Rafael is 0.4% less expensive than Palo Alto.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Rafael or Palo Alto?
- San Rafael housing costs are 60.9% less expensive than Palo Alto housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Palo Alto or is Health Care more affordable in San Rafael.
- Health related expenses are 2.2% more in San Rafael.
 Palo Alto, CASan Rafael, CAUnited States
 Overall231.0230.1100
 Food & Groceries124.4113.5100
 Health107.7110.1100
 Housing1,139.8445.3100
 Median Home Cost$3,107,600$1,209,300$338,100
 Utilities8,990.0%9,730.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation140.6118.7100
 Miscellaneous156.2164.1100

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 16 years ago

Very  More

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Over 17 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 San Rafael    7 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

San Rafael is only 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco, but the weather is completely different. It's sunny most of the year, including in the summer when the city  More

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Over 14 years ago

I feal very safe in this town. I think getting stopped for talking on your cell phone while driving is a big deal here. Thats about all I can  More

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Over 16 years ago

Cost of living too high. Unfriendly  More

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ZIPS IN PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA
94306 94301 94304
ZIPS IN SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA
94901 94903 94964

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