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

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ridgecrest or is it cheaper to live in San Rafael?
- Ridgecrest is 56.6% less expensive than San Rafael.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ridgecrest or San Rafael?
- Ridgecrest housing costs are 81.4% less expensive than San Rafael housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Rafael or is Health Care more affordable in Ridgecrest.
- Health related expenses are 15.8% less in Ridgecrest.
 San Rafael, CARidgecrest, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock99.8100
 Food & Groceries113.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock92.7100
 Housing445.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$245,600$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock101.6100
 Miscellaneous164.1  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 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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

Cost of living too high. Unfriendly  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Rafael

Reviews for Ridgecrest    7 Reviews

For context, I grew up in Ridgecrest and moved away after graduating high school. I have since lived in LA and the Bay Area but I visit RC often. RC is in the high  More

   |    Reply

Ridgecrest and Kern County are red state bastions in a land of blue voting counties. If you want a concealed weapons permit, you'll get it. Want to own any firearm  More

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

The hardest thing to get used to in Ridgecrest is the weather. It can get quite windy. And hot. 115 hot. But it's a dry heat! It does cool off in the evening, and it  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Ridgecrest


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.