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

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

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Monica or San Mateo?
- Santa Monica housing costs are 15.7% more expensive than San Mateo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Monica.
- Health related expenses are 23.2% less in Santa Monica.
 San Mateo, CASanta Monica, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock161.7100
 Food & Groceries116.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock90.2100
 Housing537.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,656,900$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock154.8100
 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 Santa Monica    24 Reviews

I moved here to Santa Monica over 10 years ago from Oklahoma City. I was surprised to see that Oklahoma City was ranked higher than Santa Monica on best places. I  More

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I've lived in Santa Monica for over 30 years. It's a Mediterranean climate--sunny and temperate when the rest of the country is under snow! I am walking distance to  More

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I have lived in this city for 4 decades, and it is never been worse than it is now. It is a dangerous disgusting hell hole. Between the crime, the homeless that are not  More

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