2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Carlsbad, CA vs Lancaster, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lancaster or is it cheaper to live in Carlsbad?
- Lancaster is 4.4% more expensive than Carlsbad.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lancaster or Carlsbad?
- Lancaster housing costs are 66.3% less expensive than Carlsbad housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Carlsbad or is Health Care more affordable in Lancaster.
- Health related expenses are 0.1% less in Lancaster.
 Carlsbad, CALancaster, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock161.7100
 Food & Groceries113.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.9100
 Housing391.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$415,800$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock119.2100
 Miscellaneous154.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Carlsbad    38 Reviews

I've lived in Carlsbad (92008) for 8 years now and really appreciate all that it has to offer. Yes, ALL of San Diego County is expensive, but Carlsbad has [possibly]  More

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Over 4 years ago

Carlson has the worst winters. It averages about 10 meters of snow per week. Every shop is  More

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Ok, I get it, the climate is mild and tolerable but even that is over-rated when you consider how many cloudy days there are in this town. The sun coming out at 3 and  More

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Reviews for Lancaster    48 Reviews

Worse than even Compton in some ways... worse than hell overall. This place is so bad you will want to off yourself every day just by being here, but probably not too  More

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Over 5 years ago

I was born here, then grew up here for 17 years and joined the Army as a teen, but constantly went back to visit my parents and friends. I lived there again for 4 years  More

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Over 7 years ago

Moved to the Eastside of Lancaster. I have target, lowes, the whole wheatery, homedepot, bank of America, wells Fargo, Walmart, traders Joe's, Carl's jr, burger king,  More

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