Cost of Living Comparison Between Petaluma, CA and Longmont, CO Cost of Living Comparison Between Petaluma, CA and Longmont, CO

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,882 in Petaluma, CA versus $3,044 in Longmont, CO.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,202 in Petaluma, CA versus $4,581 in Longmont, CO.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,522 in Petaluma, CA versus $6,118 in Longmont, CO.

Living in Petaluma, CA costs roughly 5% less than in Longmont, CO, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Petaluma, CA 115% above, Longmont, CO 127% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Petaluma, CA
Longmont, CO
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.32 $22.32
$20.08 $20.08
11.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$86.4 $86.4
$69.1 $69.1
25.01%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.83 $11.83
$10.88 $10.88
8.73%
Cappuccino
$4.82 $4.82
$6.07 $6.07
-20.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 $2.97
$3.16 $3.16
-6.01%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$2.49 $2.49
-12.45%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.23 $8.23
$6.87 $6.87
19.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.47 $8.47
$8.19 $8.19
3.42%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Petaluma, CA
Longmont, CO
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.28 $1.28
$1.00 $1.00
28.00%
White Bread (500g)
$4.65 $4.65
$3.69 $3.69
26.02%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.35 $4.35
$4.38 $4.38
-0.68%
Eggs
$5.40 $5.40
$5.62 $5.62
-3.91%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.31 $16.31
$14.29 $14.29
14.14%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.62 $12.62
$16.32 $16.32
-22.67%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.41 $17.41
$18.88 $18.88
-7.79%
Apples (1kg)
$7.64 $7.64
$5.47 $5.47
39.67%
Banana (1kg)
$2.88 $2.88
$1.54 $1.54
87.01%
Oranges (1kg)
$8.20 $8.20
$4.07 $4.07
101.47%
Tomato (1kg)
$8.58 $8.58
$5.16 $5.16
66.28%
Potato (1kg)
$3.94 $3.94
$4.03 $4.03
-2.23%
Onion (1kg)
$4.02 $4.02
$3.79 $3.79
6.07%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 $2.22
$2.30 $2.30
-3.48%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.40 $2.40
$2.48 $2.48
-3.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.07 $12.07
$9.05 $9.05
33.37%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.46 $15.46
$16.68 $16.68
-7.31%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70 $1.70
$1.89 $1.89
-10.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.98 $3.98
$3.69 $3.69
7.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Petaluma, CA
Longmont, CO
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.06 $2.06
$1.94 $1.94
6.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.1 $65.1
$119 $119
-45.06%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.59 $3.59
$2.43 $2.43
47.74%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.84 $1.84
$1.38 $1.38
33.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.45 $29.45
$24.29 $24.29
21.24%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.30 $1.30
$0.81 $0.81
60.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.2K $24.2K
$34.5K $34.5K
-29.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$25.5K $25.5K
2.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Petaluma, CA
Longmont, CO
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$280 $280
$221 $221
26.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.2 $50.2
$59.3 $59.3
-15.36%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.9 $74.9
$72.5 $72.5
3.32%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Petaluma, CA
Longmont, CO
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.21 $43.21
$47.64 $47.64
-9.30%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$64.5 $64.5
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.03 $14.03
$16.14 $16.14
-13.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Petaluma, CA
Longmont, CO
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,859 $1,859
$1,489 $1,489
24.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$37.4K $37.4K
$24.2K $24.2K
54.54%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Petaluma, CA
Longmont, CO
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.2 $58.2
$57.8 $57.8
0.71%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$61.2 $61.2
$37.60 $37.60
62.85%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.6 $94.6
$90.9 $90.9
4.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$127 $127
$102 $102
25.22%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Petaluma, CA
Longmont, CO
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,613 $1,613
$1,795 $1,795
-10.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,354 $1,354
$1,591 $1,591
-14.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,054 $3,054
$2,716 $2,716
12.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,193 $2,193
$2,922 $2,922
-24.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$3,735 $3,735
-
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Petaluma, CA
Longmont, CO
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,009 $3,009
$4,378 $4,378
-31.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.55
6.6
-0.76%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Petaluma, CA: May 30, 2026

Last update for Longmont, CO: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,613 in Petaluma, CA and $1,795 in Longmont, CO. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Longmont, CO pays 45% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $86.0 in Petaluma, CA vs $69.0 in Longmont, CO for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $499 vs $455 per month, with Longmont, CO cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Petaluma, CA vs Longmont, CO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Petaluma, CA and Longmont, CO?
Petaluma, CA and Longmont, CO differ by about 6% in total monthly costs ($2,882 vs $3,044 including rent). Petaluma, CA is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Longmont, CO earns 45% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Petaluma, CA and Longmont, CO?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,613 in Petaluma, CA versus $1,795 in Longmont, CO. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Petaluma, CA or Longmont, CO?
All in, you'll spend $2,882 per month in Petaluma, CA versus $3,044 in Longmont, CO – a 6% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Petaluma, CA and Longmont, CO?
A monthly transit pass in Petaluma, CA runs roughly 82% less than in Longmont, CO. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is feasible on a $2,500 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Petaluma, CA is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Petaluma, CA and Longmont, CO?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Petaluma, CA or Longmont, CO safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Petaluma, CA and Longmont, CO are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Petaluma, CA or Longmont, CO?
Expats usually find Petaluma, CA gentler on the wallet – expenses run 6% less than in Longmont, CO. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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