2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Mateo, CA vs Anchorage, AK

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Anchorage or is it cheaper to live in San Mateo?
- Anchorage is 53.8% less expensive than San Mateo.

Which city has more affordable housing, Anchorage or San Mateo?
- Anchorage housing costs are 78.3% less expensive than San Mateo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo or is Health Care more affordable in Anchorage.
- Health related expenses are 6.8% more in Anchorage.
 San Mateo, CAAnchorage, AKUnited States
 Overall  Unlock115.5100
 Food & Groceries116.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock125.4100
 Housing537.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$344,400$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock104.6100
 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 Anchorage    83 Reviews

Over 1 years ago

Anchorage had potential but with the massive amount of homeless the petty crime is on the rise. I chose to live in a town outside of Anchorage rather than the city for  More

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I lived in Anchorage for the better part of the 2010's. Pros: o Beautiful, mountain and ocean views; close to many hiking trails, campsites, fishing grounds,  More

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it's nice, i liked it when i grew up there. kinda wish i could move back, but i didn't really like being isolated from all the things like nordstrom, trader joe's,  More

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