2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Rafael, CA vs Pasadena, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Pasadena or is it cheaper to live in San Rafael?
- Pasadena is 29.7% less expensive than San Rafael.

Which city has more affordable housing, Pasadena or San Rafael?
- Pasadena housing costs are 23.6% less expensive than San Rafael housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Rafael or is Health Care more affordable in Pasadena.
- Health related expenses are 21.3% less in Pasadena.
 San Rafael, CAPasadena, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock161.7100
 Food & Groceries113.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock86.7100
 Housing445.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,023,900$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock155.5100
 Miscellaneous164.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for San Rafael    7 Reviews

Over 14 years ago

San Rafael is only 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco, but the weather is completely different. It's sunny most of the year, including in the summer when the city  More

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Over 16 years ago

I feal very safe in this town. I think getting stopped for talking on your cell phone while driving is a big deal here. Thats about all I can  More

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Over 18 years ago

Cost of living too high. Unfriendly  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 11 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 12 years ago

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

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