2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Petaluma, 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 Petaluma?
- San Rafael is 51.6% more expensive than Petaluma.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Rafael or Petaluma?
- San Rafael housing costs are 58.1% more expensive than Petaluma housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Petaluma or is Health Care more affordable in San Rafael.
- Health related expenses are 0.2% less in San Rafael.
 Petaluma, CASan Rafael, CAUnited States
 Overall151.8230.1100
 Food & Groceries110.8113.5100
 Health110.3110.1100
 Housing281.7445.3100
 Median Home Cost$839,600$1,209,300$338,100
 Utilities9,910.0%9,730.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation113.1118.7100
 Miscellaneous153.9164.1100
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 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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