2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Mateo, CA vs Aliso Viejo, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Aliso Viejo or is it cheaper to live in San Mateo?
- Aliso Viejo is 34.0% less expensive than San Mateo.

Which city has more affordable housing, Aliso Viejo or San Mateo?
- Aliso Viejo housing costs are 51.7% less expensive than San Mateo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo or is Health Care more affordable in Aliso Viejo.
- Health related expenses are 20.4% less in Aliso Viejo.
 San Mateo, CAAliso Viejo, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock164.9100
 Food & Groceries116.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock93.4100
 Housing537.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$824,700$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock111.3100
 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 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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Reviews for Aliso Viejo    8 Reviews

We've lived here in Aliso Viejo now for two years and just love it! It's clean, extremely walkable, little to no crime and relatively affordable when compared to Los  More

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Over 4 years ago

We just moved here from the East Coast and we absolutely love it. It’s pretty peaceful, has beautiful views of the city, and it’s close to the beach and many parks.  More

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We've liked here for 4yrs now and it is one of the most convenient cities I've ever lived in. Our youngest finished their last 2 yrs of high school here and we were  More

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