2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Carlos, CA vs San Anselmo, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Anselmo or is it cheaper to live in San Carlos?
- San Anselmo is 8.0% less expensive than San Carlos.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Anselmo or San Carlos?
- San Anselmo housing costs are 29.2% less expensive than San Carlos housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Carlos or is Health Care more affordable in San Anselmo.
- Health related expenses are 6.2% less in San Anselmo.
 San Carlos, CASan Anselmo, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock230.1100
 Food & Groceries119.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.1100
 Housing758.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,502,300$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock127.6100
 Miscellaneous161.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Carlos

Reviews for San Anselmo    3 Reviews

I've lived here for over forty five years and I can't wait to leave! The cost of living is ridiculous and, though the statistics about population growth always appear  More

   |    Reply

We love, love, love San Anselmo. It has great schools, is very walkable/bikeable, is not a far walk or bike from that funky town of Fairfax, everyone is friendly! Very  More

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

We love it here, but the cost of housing is astronomical, and has us rethinking whether we can stay here much longer. Considering first mortgage, second mortgage and  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Anselmo


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.