2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Walnut Creek, CA vs Palo Alto, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Palo Alto or is it cheaper to live in Walnut Creek?
- Palo Alto is 32.1% more expensive than Walnut Creek.

Which city has more affordable housing, Palo Alto or Walnut Creek?
- Palo Alto housing costs are 200.0% more expensive than Walnut Creek housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Walnut Creek or is Health Care more affordable in Palo Alto.
- Health related expenses are 11.1% less in Palo Alto.
 Walnut Creek, CAPalo Alto, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock231.0100
 Food & Groceries112.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock107.7100
 Housing379.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$3,107,600$338,100
 Utilities103  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock140.6100
 Miscellaneous158.1  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 Walnut Creek    16 Reviews

Apart from the congestion, Walnut Creek is one of the best places in the San Francisco Bay Area to live. It is one of the most compact/walkable cities in the entire area  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

Almost all of Walnut Creek water comes from Pardee dam through an enclosed pipeline. That water is direct from the high Sierras. Among the best water quality in the  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

I grew up in Southern California and am no stranger to a more inland California climate. Before moving to WC I lived in San Francisco for 15 years where it is obviously  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Walnut Creek

Reviews for Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

Very  More

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Palo Alto


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.