2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA vs Palo Alto, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Palo Alto or is it cheaper to live in Rancho Santa Margarita?
- Palo Alto is 40.1% more expensive than Rancho Santa Margarita.

Which city has more affordable housing, Palo Alto or Rancho Santa Margarita?
- Palo Alto housing costs are 330.1% more expensive than Rancho Santa Margarita housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Rancho Santa Margarita or is Health Care more affordable in Palo Alto.
- Health related expenses are 15.3% more in Palo Alto.
 Rancho Santa Margarita, CAPalo Alto, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock231.0100
 Food & Groceries103.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock107.7100
 Housing265.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$3,107,600$338,100
 Utilities111  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock140.6100
 Miscellaneous155.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Rancho Santa Margarita    13 Reviews

This page provides little information on RSM. I see they keep describing the area as "outside of Los Angeles." Culturally, it is so far from Los Angeles (I lived in LA,  More

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Over 10 years ago

The weather here is amazing. We get a few hot days in the summer but it cools down in the evening. I love being able to sleep with the windows  More

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This is the best place to live in South Orange County with mild temperatures, low crime, great schools and family orientated. RSM is a city that sits in a pocket backing  More

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Reviews for Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

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Over 17 years ago

Very  More

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Over 18 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  More

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