Cost of Living in Foster City, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,343 (excluding rent), and $4,012 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,790 (excluding rent), and $7,569 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.9 $14.9

$49.68 $49.68

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$70.8 $70.8

$60.7 $60.7

$202 $202

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.08 $11.08

$10.07 $10.07

$13.09 $13.09

Cappuccino

$5.09 $5.09

$4.07 $4.07

$8.15 $8.15

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.2 $3.2

$1.96 $1.96

$4.89 $4.89

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.95 $1.95

$4.88 $4.88

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.12 $9.12

$6.08 $6.08

$10.13 $10.13

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.15 $11.15

$8.11 $8.11

$15.21 $15.21

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.01 $1.01

$2.14 $2.14

White Bread (500g)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.74 $2.74

$6.56 $6.56

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.26 $2.26

$4.52 $4.52

Eggs

$3.07 $3.07

$3.06 $3.06

$9.22 $9.22

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.85 $16.85

$13.48 $13.48

$33.7 $33.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.81 $10.81

$10.79 $10.79

$30.27 $30.27

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$15.23 $15.23

$43.59 $43.59

Apples (1kg)

$6.27 $6.27

$3.35 $3.35

$9.01 $9.01

Banana (1kg)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.49 $1.49

$6.67 $6.67

Oranges (1kg)

$4.98 $4.98

$3.34 $3.34

$8.98 $8.98

Tomato (1kg)

$3.22 $3.22

$2.14 $2.14

$10.72 $10.72

Potato (1kg)

$3.38 $3.38

$1.49 $1.49

$4.5 $4.5

Onion (1kg)

$4.47 $4.47

$1.79 $1.79

$11.22 $11.22

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.97 $2.97

$1.98 $1.98

$3.95 $3.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 $1.46

$0.73 $0.73

$3.4 $3.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.31 $11.31

$10.05 $10.05

$13.06 $13.06

Wine (Bottle)

$11.88 $11.88

$8.9 $8.9

$24.74 $24.74

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$1.76 $1.76

$3.05 $3.05

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.46 $3.46

$1.71 $1.71

$6.15 $6.15

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.81 $3.81

$2.54 $2.54

$5.07 $5.07

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$193 $193

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.4 $3.4

$14.59 $14.59

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.86 $1.86

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.45 $30.45

$66 $66

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.21 $1.21

$1.9 $1.9

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30K $30K

$36.7K $36.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.3K $27.3K

$25.5K $25.5K

$30.6K $30.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$273 $273

$192 $192

$454 $454

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$48.89 $48.89

$25.23 $25.23

$80.7 $80.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$68.3 $68.3

$50.2 $50.2

$105 $105

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.56 $42.56

$17.32 $17.32

$49.48 $49.48

Cinema Ticket

$15.36 $15.36

$14.86 $14.86

$21.8 $21.8

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,968 $1,968

$1,501 $1,501

$2,502 $2,502

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$26.2K $26.2K

$18.1K $18.1K

$40.2K $40.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.6 $46.6

$29.95 $29.95

$97.8 $97.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.39 $30.39

$25.32 $25.32

$70.9 $70.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$65.4 $65.4

$39.24 $39.24

$132 $132

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$49.49 $49.49

$198 $198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,057 $3,057

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,600 $2,600

$1,000 $1,000

$2,600 $2,600

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,427 $4,427

$1,968 $1,968

$4,427 $4,427

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,449 $4,449

$1,681 $1,681

$4,449 $4,449

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.8K $10.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$9,639 $9,639

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,162 $7,162

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.19

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Foster City, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Foster City, CA, United States tends to be higher than many inland areas, but it balances with strong safety, walkable neighborhoods, and abundant outdoor spaces. For travelers, expats, or digital nomads, value shows up when you choose longer stays, cook at home, and leverage coworking hubs in nearby towns. You’ll often find well-maintained amenities, reliable internet, and predictable services that support a comfortable routine without the volatility you might see in larger cities. The upside is a calmer pace, cleaner air, and bay views that never feel far away. Tip: test a few neighborhoods during different seasons to gauge daily life before committing.

Daily life in Foster City centers on practical convenience and accessibility. Housing options include a mix of condos, townhomes, and lakeside apartments, so you can balance size, views, and commute. For groceries and casual meals, you’ll find reliable supermarkets and a handful of eateries within easy reach. Transportation leans toward car use, with good road links and bike-friendly paths; public transit serves the wider peninsula, useful for occasional trips to San Mateo or Burlingame. Co-working spaces are clustered in nearby towns, giving you broader community pools if you want a change of scene. Foster City, CA, United States living cost can guide your neighborhood choices. Tip: map a weekly routine that minimizes peak traffic.

Quality of life here comes from a quiet, safety-forward environment, walkable paths, and access to nature along the bay. Build a budgeting framework by separating housing, food, transport, and leisure, then set flexible targets for dining out and errands. Seasonal tips: summers are milder on the coast, which helps outdoor activities; fall and winter bring cooler evenings but many indoor options, from cafes to coworking rooms, stay comfortable with smart planning. To stay flexible, pick neighborhoods with easy access to the lagoon trails and shopping hubs. Tip: schedule a monthly review of your spending and adjust as needed.