2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Walnut Creek, CA vs San Rafael, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Rafael or is it cheaper to live in Walnut Creek?
- San Rafael is 31.6% more expensive than Walnut Creek.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Rafael or Walnut Creek?
- San Rafael housing costs are 17.2% more expensive than Walnut Creek housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Walnut Creek or is Health Care more affordable in San Rafael.
- Health related expenses are 9.1% less in San Rafael.
 Walnut Creek, CASan Rafael, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock230.1100
 Food & Groceries112.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.1100
 Housing379.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,209,300$338,100
 Utilities103  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock118.7100
 Miscellaneous158.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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

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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

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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

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Reviews for San Rafael    7 Reviews

Over 13 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 15 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 17 years ago

Cost of living too high. Unfriendly  More

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