2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Petaluma, CA vs Joshua Tree, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Joshua Tree older or younger than people in Petaluma?
- The Median Age in Joshua Tree is 2.6 years younger than in Petaluma.

Are housing costs cheaper in Joshua Tree or Petaluma?
- Joshua Tree housing costs are 49.4% less expensive than Petaluma housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Joshua Tree or Petaluma?
- The average commute for residents of Joshua Tree is 2.5 minutes longer than it is for residents of Petaluma.

Things to do in Petaluma?
Petaluma, California is a charming city located in Sonoma County, approximately 52 miles north of San Francisco. The city was first settled by Europeans in the 1850s and is known today for its historic downtown area full of antique stores, restaurants and specialty shops. Petaluma has something for everyone with its unique shops, farms, vineyards, ranches, community events and scenic hikes. It has become an increasingly popular destination due to its laid-back atmosphere and close proximity to wine country and the Pacific Ocean. Whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation or a romantic getaway, Petaluma awaits!

Things to do in Joshua Tree?
Living in Joshua Tree, CA is an experience like no other. The desert landscape provides an idyllic setting of open skies, rocky terrain, and endless sunsets that create a feeling of serenity and beauty. With plenty of outdoor activities such as rock climbing, camping, hiking, biking, and even stargazing available all year round, Joshua Tree is truly a great place to explore the outdoors. The town itself is also full of eclectic shops and restaurants that add to the unique charm of the area. Despite being located in the middle of the desert, Joshua Tree enjoys relatively mild weather year-round making it a great place for those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

 Petaluma, CAJoshua Tree, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock7,398329,725,481
 Median Income$100,379  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock40.238.4
 Avg. Home Price$839,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock7.8%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time30.13  Unlock26.38
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 Joshua Tree    3 Reviews

1973 - 1987 Like any small town certain families have more pull. This was the case for what seem to even narrow more down to schools like Salazar & Dubose. It seemed  More

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went to crossroads, a local restaurant in town, and ran across some folks who are relocating to joshua tree from south carolina. they were in town to go to the art  More

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Just 45 minutes from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree is 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the low desert, and is the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park. The city itself it tiny,  More

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