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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,452 (excluding rent), and $4,016 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,717 (excluding rent), and $7,762 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$27.89 $27.89

$12.17 $12.17

$40.56 $40.56

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$80.1 $80.1

$150 $150

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.55 $14.55

$12.04 $12.04

$18.06 $18.06

Cappuccino

$4.78 $4.78

$3.91 $3.91

$5.87 $5.87

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

$2.61 $2.61

$2.03 $2.03

$7.09 $7.09

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.24 $2.24

$2.03 $2.03

$3.05 $3.05

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.15 $6.15

$3.08 $3.08

$10.26 $10.26

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.17 $7.17

$4.10 $4.10

$11.27 $11.27

Milk (1 liter)

$1.40 $1.40

$0.97 $0.97

$1.80 $1.80

White Bread (500g)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.24 $2.24

$6.18 $6.18

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$3.84 $3.84

$8.55 $8.55

Eggs

$4.88 $4.88

$3.05 $3.05

$10.15 $10.15

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.50 $7.50

$4.28 $4.28

$40.68 $40.68

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.71 $14.71

$8.72 $8.72

$23.97 $23.97

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.74 $16.74

$13.11 $13.11

$19.64 $19.64

Apples (1kg)

$6.59 $6.59

$2.19 $2.19

$10.99 $10.99

Banana (1kg)

$2.25 $2.25

$1.80 $1.80

$3.39 $3.39

Oranges (1kg)

$3.69 $3.69

$1.97 $1.97

$9.24 $9.24

Tomato (1kg)

$3.17 $3.17

$2.24 $2.24

$9.65 $9.65

Potato (1kg)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.99 $1.99

$6.63 $6.63

Onion (1kg)

$3.35 $3.35

$2.16 $2.16

$4.34 $4.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.21 $2.21

$1.02 $1.02

$3.57 $3.57

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.09 $3.09

$2.03 $2.03

$4.88 $4.88

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.73 $8.73

$12.77 $12.77

Wine (Bottle)

$11.90 $11.90

$8.91 $8.91

$24.79 $24.79

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.40 $1.40

$1.69 $1.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.08 $4.08

$3.06 $3.06

$6.12 $6.12

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$7.12 $7.12

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.0 $75.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.45 $3.45

$4.94 $4.94

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.92 $1.92

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$40.74 $40.74

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$1.17 $1.17

$1.47 $1.47

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

$24.3K $24.3K

$23.9K $23.9K

$31.5K $31.5K

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

$25.8K $25.8K

$25.7K $25.7K

$26.3K $26.3K

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

$195 $195

$102 $102

$471 $471

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

$50.4 $50.4

$34.92 $34.92

$120 $120

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.0 $72.0

$55.4 $55.4

$90.7 $90.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$183 $183

$17.79 $17.79

$183 $183

Cinema Ticket

$14.22 $14.22

$11.77 $11.77

$29.43 $29.43

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

$2,773 $2,773

$2,430 $2,430

$4,050 $4,050

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$37.7K $37.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.1 $60.1

$40.04 $40.04

$89.1 $89.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$61.0 $61.0

$24.85 $24.85

$69.6 $69.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.0 $89.0

$58.3 $58.3

$163 $163

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$100 $100

$40.03 $40.03

$225 $225

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,167 $4,167

$3,922 $3,922

$4,412 $4,412

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,530 $2,530

$1,012 $1,012

$2,530 $2,530

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,391 $5,391

$4,901 $4,901

$5,881 $5,881

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,246 $4,246

$3,997 $3,997

$4,496 $4,496

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$8,094 $8,094

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.55

6.19

8.8

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Redwood City, CA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

393

Mbps

186

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 Redwood City, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with inland pockets, the Cost of Living in Redwood City, CA, United States tends to be higher, driven by housing and everyday expenses, but you gain reliable services, safety, and proximity to Bay Area opportunities. Travelers and expats appreciate walkable neighborhoods, good food scenes, and frequent community events. A smart approach is to anchor your budget on housing first, then balance groceries, dining, and occasional outings. Leverage short-term stays to test neighborhoods, and consider shared housing or subleases to ease initial costs. Consistent routines and predictable transit help you stay comfortable while exploring. Tip: map a 2–3 neighborhood shortlist before committing.

Daily life in Redwood City blends convenience with budgeting nuance. Housing options range from walkable downtown apartments to quieter family-friendly enclaves, with many leases favoring long terms. The coworking scene is active, good for freelancers and remote teams. Groceries and dining are human-scale, offering familiar brands and occasional farmers markets. Transport options work well: a car helps, but Caltrain and local buses connect you to the broader Bay Area without endless traffic. Redwood City, CA, United States living cost remains a practical consideration for planning, especially around neighborhoods with good amenities. Tip: Map a 2–3 neighborhood shortlist and test transit routes during your first weeks.

Quality of life here balances outdoor access with busy work hubs, so build a practical budget that separates fixed costs (lease, utilities) from flexible ones (entertainment, groceries). Identify your non-negotiables – good transit, safe neighborhoods, reliable wifi – and test a couple of districts for commute and noise. Save by leveraging community markets, cooking at home, and sharing spaces for work when possible. Seasonality trends in this climate are mild, but summer crowds and event calendars can nudge prices up around weekends; fall and winter may offer quieter periods for longer leases. Tip: set monthly targets for spend categories and adjust after your first 4–6 weeks.