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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Novato or is it cheaper to live in Petaluma?
- Novato is 51.6% more expensive than Petaluma.

Which city has more affordable housing, Novato or Petaluma?
- Novato housing costs are 24.7% more expensive than Petaluma housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Petaluma or is Health Care more affordable in Novato.
- Health related expenses are 0.2% less in Novato.
 Petaluma, CANovato, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock230.1100
 Food & Groceries110.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.1100
 Housing281.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,052,000$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock124.4100
 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 Novato    9 Reviews

Lush hills, hiking trails, and easy access to both wine country and San Francisco. We love it here.  More

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Over 10 years ago

Novato is a family oriented community located about 20 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge. The quality of life is excellent here assuming your job pays you enough to  More

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Over 11 years ago

We recently moved to a secluded neighborhood in Novato after 25 years in central Marin. While there are fewer restaurants and galleries, we are very pleased with our  More

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