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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Somerville or is it cheaper to live in San Mateo?
- Somerville is 42.1% less expensive than San Mateo.

Which city has more affordable housing, Somerville or San Mateo?
- Somerville housing costs are 47.6% less expensive than San Mateo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo or is Health Care more affordable in Somerville.
- Health related expenses are 24.0% less in Somerville.
 San Mateo, CASomerville, MAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock144.7100
 Food & Groceries116.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.2100
 Housing537.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$762,800$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock106.7100
 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 Somerville    3 Reviews

I've lived in Somerville/Cambridge for 10 years, the last 4.5 with my husband in Spring Hill. It really is a great place to live if you are in your 20s & 30s: it is  More

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Living in Somerville is OK. I'm not a 'city' person and I would rather be out in the country some place, but it's not too bad here. I'm in my early 50s and own a house.  More

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Over 17 years ago

we are midwest transplants to the Boston area and lucked out by finding this great little neighborhood - right on the train line, little stores and good community - we  More

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