2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Petaluma, CA vs Boulder Creek, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Boulder Creek or is it cheaper to live in Petaluma?
- Boulder Creek is 22.5% more expensive than Petaluma.

Which city has more affordable housing, Boulder Creek or Petaluma?
- Boulder Creek housing costs are 6.7% less expensive than Petaluma housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Petaluma or is Health Care more affordable in Boulder Creek.
- Health related expenses are 1.0% less in Boulder Creek.
 Petaluma, CABoulder Creek, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock186.0100
 Food & Groceries110.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.2100
 Housing281.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$749,200$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock133.4100
 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 Boulder Creek    3 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

even with Prop 13 property taxes are high. My taxes have incresed from $1200 a year in 1990 to over $8000 a year now. Coffee is $1.50 a cup. Milk $3.50 a  More

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A wonderful place if you love the forest. Plenty of activities, camping,hiking,fishing and mountain dining. Very close to Santa Cruz beaches, restaurants, entertainment  More

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Over 18 years ago

Boulder Creek, CA is in the Santa Cruz mountains near San Jose, CA. It is a beautiful, woodsy mountain area with wonderful climate. It's hard to believe that the overly  More

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