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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Pasadena or is it cheaper to live in San Mateo?
- Pasadena is 35.3% less expensive than San Mateo.

Which city has more affordable housing, Pasadena or San Mateo?
- Pasadena housing costs are 36.7% less expensive than San Mateo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo or is Health Care more affordable in Pasadena.
- Health related expenses are 26.1% less in Pasadena.
 San Mateo, CAPasadena, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock161.7100
 Food & Groceries116.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock86.7100
 Housing537.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,023,900$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock155.5100
 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 Pasadena    19 Reviews

Pasadena is a little slice of the world in the foothills above the San Gabriel Valley. It has everything you could want. Check out my video on the cost of living in  More

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Over 10 years ago

The weather in Pasadena, CA is rather pleasant. It does not get cold here, it used to be around the first two weeks of December it could go down to 32-28 F, only a few  More

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Over 11 years ago

Great place to live for all ages and enjoy mostly sunny  More

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