2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Redwood City, CA vs San Mateo, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Mateo or is it cheaper to live in Redwood City?
- San Mateo is 0.0% more expensive than Redwood City.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Mateo or Redwood City?
- San Mateo housing costs are 14.1% less expensive than Redwood City housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Redwood City or is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo.
- Health related expenses are 0.0% less in San Mateo.
 Redwood City, CASan Mateo, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock250.0100
 Food & Groceries117.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock117.4100
 Housing625.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,378,900$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock143.4100
 Miscellaneous161.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Redwood City    11 Reviews

(Caveating everything with "it's Bay Area prices") Redwood City is a large sprawling town where you can find just about anything you're looking for. There's great  More

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The entire Bay Area is ridiculous. You can't compare it to other areas. RWC is reasonably cheap for the area. I pay $5K for a rental townhouse in one of the many  More

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Lovely weather. Safe place to live (I live in Redwood Shores). The only thing that keeps this place from being 5 stars is the cost of housing. When you have to pay an  More

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Reviews for San Mateo    12 Reviews

I have lived in San Mateo since 2013. It has seen tremendous growth, lots of new restaurants which have become progressively more high-end though there is ample  More

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I'm a native of California. I have lived in the southern part of the state and the northern part of the state for most of my life. I have spent the last 29 years in  More

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Over 15 years ago

San Mateo has a diverse mix of people, a pleasant climate, a very pleasant downtown park with lots going on, and pretty much whatever you need handy. It's not far to  More

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