Cost of Living in Menlo Park, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,283 (excluding rent), and $3,664 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,865 (excluding rent), and $9,496 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.80 $29.80

$14.90 $14.90

$49.66 $49.66

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$90.6 $90.6

$80.5 $80.5

$201 $201

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.88 $11.88

$14.85 $14.85

Cappuccino

$4.78 $4.78

$3.92 $3.92

$5.87 $5.87

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

$2.54 $2.54

$1.48 $1.48

$2.95 $2.95

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.02 $1.02

$3.07 $3.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.15 $8.15

$5.10 $5.10

$10.19 $10.19

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$3.03 $3.03

$10.08 $10.08

Milk (1 liter)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.07 $1.07

$1.61 $1.61

White Bread (500g)

$4.58 $4.58

$2.15 $2.15

$5.93 $5.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.16 $3.16

$2.22 $2.22

$8.89 $8.89

Eggs

$6.82 $6.82

$2.03 $2.03

$9.15 $9.15

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.86 $10.86

$4.11 $4.11

$43.46 $43.46

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.98 $10.98

$6.57 $6.57

$24.17 $24.17

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.63 $12.63

$6.57 $6.57

$17.58 $17.58

Apples (1kg)

$4.50 $4.50

$2.14 $2.14

$10.73 $10.73

Banana (1kg)

$2.14 $2.14

$1.63 $1.63

$6.43 $6.43

Oranges (1kg)

$4.44 $4.44

$2.01 $2.01

$9.42 $9.42

Tomato (1kg)

$4.91 $4.91

$2.18 $2.18

$9.29 $9.29

Potato (1kg)

$2.90 $2.90

$2.17 $2.17

$6.51 $6.51

Onion (1kg)

$3.46 $3.46

$1.78 $1.78

$4.47 $4.47

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.12 $2.12

$0.98 $0.98

$2.94 $2.94

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.63 $2.63

$1.76 $1.76

$3.93 $3.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.79 $8.79

$7.54 $7.54

$13.06 $13.06

Wine (Bottle)

$11.90 $11.90

$8.92 $8.92

$21.82 $21.82

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.46 $1.46

$2.91 $2.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.02 $1.02

$6.10 $6.10

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.42 $4.42

$1.23 $1.23

$4.42 $4.42

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.41 $3.41

$4.87 $4.87

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 $1.95

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.54 $30.54

$40.71 $40.71

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$0.98 $0.98

$1.43 $1.43

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

$23.5K $23.5K

$23.2K $23.2K

$30.5K $30.5K

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$25.1K $25.1K

$27.2K $27.2K

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

$245 $245

$98.1 $98.1

$327 $327

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

$38.91 $38.91

$19.95 $19.95

$54.9 $54.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.7 $71.7

$50.2 $50.2

$84.3 $84.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.62 $42.62

$17.35 $17.35

$49.56 $49.56

Cinema Ticket

$14.84 $14.84

$17.81 $17.81

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

$2,682 $2,682

$2,429 $2,429

$2,842 $2,842

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$37.6K $37.6K

$34.8K $34.8K

$49.7K $49.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.7 $55.7

$29.69 $29.69

$88.1 $88.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.72 $40.72

$25.45 $25.45

$71.3 $71.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.0 $89.0

$58.3 $58.3

$89.0 $89.0

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79.8 $79.8

$39.91 $39.91

$224 $224

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,177 $3,177

$3,010 $3,010

$3,511 $3,511

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,273 $2,273

$2,020 $2,020

$2,525 $2,525

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$6,219 $6,219

$5,473 $5,473

$6,966 $6,966

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$6,591 $6,591

$1,724 $1,724

$6,591 $6,591

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$21.6K $21.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$16.4K $16.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,925 $4,925

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.55

6.8

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

Menlo Park, CA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

387

Mbps

174

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Menlo Park, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Menlo Park offers a high quality of life with strong services, good schools, and a walkable downtown near parks and cafes, but affordability sits at a premium for the region. People who value safety, reliable transit, and proximity to work often find the area worth the higher price tag, while those seeking the lowest rents may look to neighboring towns. The mix of old-town charm and modern apartments, with easy access to outdoor spaces, makes everyday life practical and convenient. In terms of the Cost of Living in Menlo Park, CA, United States, you’ll notice a premium tied to location and networks. Tip: Prioritize neighborhoods by commute, school needs, and access to amenities, and compare car vs transit options to balance costs.

Daily life in Menlo Park revolves around a balanced mix of suburban calm and urban convenience. The housing search tends to favor well-kept multifamily buildings, newer townhomes, and family-friendly streets in Old Town or West Menlo Park; expect competitive openings and proactive planning in sought-after pockets. Food options range from farmers markets to artisanal cafes and reliable grocers. Transport options include Caltrain access, local buses, bike lanes, and car sharing; many residents plan around morning and evening peak windows. When weighing the Menlo Park, CA, United States living cost, consider housing quality, utilities, and transit savings alongside grocery budgets. Tip: Build a flexible routine that buffers peak travel days and seasonal crowds.

Quality of life in Menlo Park blends convenience with a strong sense of community, safety, and access to outdoor spaces. A practical budgeting framework is to map fixed costs (housing, transit) and flexible expenses (food, utilities) and then revisit as work patterns or seasons shift. Save by choosing housing slightly farther from core areas, cooking at home, and using public transit or bicycles for shorter trips. Neighborhood fit matters: Old Town for walkability and dining, West Menlo for family-friendly streets, and Shoreline areas for easy access to greenways and tech campuses. Seasonality brings crowd swings at markets and events, shaping parking and weekend plans. Tip: Keep a small buffer for travel and unexpected expenses.