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

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Watsonville or is it cheaper to live in San Mateo?
- Watsonville is 25.6% less expensive than San Mateo.

Which city has more affordable housing, Watsonville or San Mateo?
- Watsonville housing costs are 51.9% less expensive than San Mateo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo or is Health Care more affordable in Watsonville.
- Health related expenses are 7.0% less in Watsonville.
 San Mateo, CAWatsonville, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock186.0100
 Food & Groceries116.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.2100
 Housing537.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$803,400$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock104.0100
 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 Watsonville    3 Reviews

We live in a nice area and love the climate but cost of living have gotten way out of hand. Vandals walk around smashing windows over and over without getting  More

   |    Reply

the cost of housing is slightly more affordable (just slightly). Close to the beach and near perfect weather. Especially during summer when it was 107 in San Jose' it  More

   |    Reply

Over 19 years ago

Nice neighborhood, but since moving here we have not felt a sense of  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Watsonville


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.