2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Petaluma, CA vs Berkeley, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Berkeley or is it cheaper to live in Petaluma?
- Berkeley is 28.8% more expensive than Petaluma.

Which city has more affordable housing, Berkeley or Petaluma?
- Berkeley housing costs are 84.9% more expensive than Petaluma housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Petaluma or is Health Care more affordable in Berkeley.
- Health related expenses are 5.9% more in Berkeley.
 Petaluma, CABerkeley, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock195.5100
 Food & Groceries110.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock116.8100
 Housing281.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,320,600$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock118.7100
 Miscellaneous153.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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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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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