2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Carlos, CA vs Mercer Island, WA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Mercer Island or is it cheaper to live in San Carlos?
- Mercer Island is 36.8% less expensive than San Carlos.

Which city has more affordable housing, Mercer Island or San Carlos?
- Mercer Island housing costs are 12.3% less expensive than San Carlos housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Carlos or is Health Care more affordable in Mercer Island.
- Health related expenses are 24.9% less in Mercer Island.
 San Carlos, CAMercer Island, WAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock158.1100
 Food & Groceries119.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.2100
 Housing758.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$2,145,300$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock130.7100
 Miscellaneous161.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for San Carlos    1 Reviews

Over 18 years ago

I have lived in San Carlos for over 15 years and absolutely love it! There is a great mix of age groups and it is becoming more ethnically diverse. Kids play on my  More

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Reviews for Mercer Island    4 Reviews

Mercer Island is a wonderful family community. It feels much more "small town" than a city even though it has a population of 20,000+. People say hello and watch out  More

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Mercer Island is a suburb of Seattle, located on an island in Lake Washington. The best thing about Mercer Island is its strategically central location relative to the  More

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Mercer Island is a suburb of Seattle, located on an island in Lake Washington. The best thing about Mercer Island is its strategically central location relative to the  More

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