2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Mateo, CA vs Mountain Brook, AL

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Mountain Brook or is it cheaper to live in San Mateo?
- Mountain Brook is 65.2% less expensive than San Mateo.

Which city has more affordable housing, Mountain Brook or San Mateo?
- Mountain Brook housing costs are 49.5% less expensive than San Mateo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo or is Health Care more affordable in Mountain Brook.
- Health related expenses are 3.9% more in Mountain Brook.
 San Mateo, CAMountain Brook, ALUnited States
 Overall  Unlock87.0100
 Food & Groceries116.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock122.0100
 Housing537.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$815,600$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock80.2100
 Miscellaneous161.7  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 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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Mateo

Reviews for Mountain Brook    1 Reviews

Over 18 years ago

Life's good in Mountain Brook! My father was in a hospital for surgery in Birmingham. I got lost and found myself wandering through gorgeous, wooded Montain Brook. Very  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Mountain Brook


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.