2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Marcos, CA vs Berkeley, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Berkeley or is it cheaper to live in San Marcos?
- Berkeley is 26.2% more expensive than San Marcos.

Which city has more affordable housing, Berkeley or San Marcos?
- Berkeley housing costs are 100.4% more expensive than San Marcos housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Marcos or is Health Care more affordable in Berkeley.
- Health related expenses are 31.2% more in Berkeley.
 San Marcos, CABerkeley, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock195.5100
 Food & Groceries109.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock116.8100
 Housing260.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,320,600$338,100
 Utilities104  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock118.7100
 Miscellaneous153.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for San Marcos    5 Reviews

Just an amazing place to live. I have lived in 7 states and almost countless cities. Sam Marcos is one of the best. This is literally the longest place I have lived  More

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Over 15 years ago

Is this area to expensive for the average income retired  More

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Over 18 years ago

Beautiful Mediterranean climate with bright sunshine and ocean breazes. City is just 15 minutes away from the  More

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Start Your Review of San Marcos

Reviews for Berkeley    14 Reviews

Have lived in Berkeley for about 35 years now. Housing/Real Estate: If you're looking to move here, $1,000,000 will get you a small cottage in the "flats". Most of  More

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Over 12 years ago

We have the best climate -- summers and winters are mild. Lots of  More

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Over 14 years ago

The 60's have left Berkeley and now it is about MONEY...and the people there have plenty of it and nice hybrid cars (looks like 2 per household) and with a great bicycle  More

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