2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Sonora, CA vs Monterey, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Monterey older or younger than people in Sonora?
- The Median Age in Monterey is 0.9 years younger than in Sonora.

Are housing costs cheaper in Monterey or Sonora?
- Monterey housing costs are 169.4% more expensive than Sonora housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Monterey or Sonora?
- The average commute for residents of Monterey is 6.1 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Sonora.

Things to do in Sonora?
Living in Sonora, CA is a beautiful experience. The small city has a population of only about 5,000, giving it a cozy and peaceful atmosphere. The downtown area is full of charming shops and restaurants that offer the perfect opportunity for exploring the local culture. Nature lovers can enjoy hiking the nearby mountains and forests or spending time at New Melones Lake. With its mild climate, Sonora provides plenty of warm days and crisp nights throughout the year. In addition to all these great features, there are also lots of exciting activities like concerts, festivals, and art galleries to explore. Sonora is truly an ideal place to call home!

Things to do in Monterey?
Monterey, CA is an iconic beach city located on the Monterey Peninsula of California's central coast. This picturesque coastal community offers stunning beaches, world-class golf courses, fabulous restaurants and galleries, plus numerous other recreational activities.

 Sonora, CAMonterey, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock30,014329,725,481
 Median Income$56,279  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock37.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$379,400  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.8%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time21.33  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Sonora    15 Reviews

I have lived in Sonora for two and a half years and love it. Some of the earlier reviews I read scared me before coming. Here is what we have found. We live in a  More

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Over 4 years ago

I have lived here for 8 years and I absolutely hate it. This town is not built for all the people it has to accommodate. Everyone from the ENTIRE county comes here to do  More

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Lived here for 21 years since my family moved up from the valley (to get away from gang violence and other crime). Traffic doesn't pay attention constantly running  More

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Reviews for Monterey    21 Reviews

Over 8 years ago

The Monterey city area is an excellent place to live and one of the few California locales where it's relatively safe to raise a family. If I could no longer live here I  More

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I grew up on the Monterey Peninsula and had to leave to climb out of poverty. The median income is $35,000 and outside of the military, the jobs are mostly service  More

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My husband and I are just crazy about Monterey. I wonder if we take housing expenses (mortgage or rent) out of the picture, is Monterey still a very expensive city to  More

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