2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Costa Mesa, CA vs Lake Elsinore, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lake Elsinore or is it cheaper to live in Costa Mesa?
- Lake Elsinore is 20.4% less expensive than Costa Mesa.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lake Elsinore or Costa Mesa?
- Lake Elsinore housing costs are 52.5% less expensive than Costa Mesa housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Costa Mesa or is Health Care more affordable in Lake Elsinore.
- Health related expenses are 6.5% less in Lake Elsinore.
 Costa Mesa, CALake Elsinore, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock131.2100
 Food & Groceries105.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock87.3100
 Housing347.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$527,600$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock167.7100
 Miscellaneous156.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Costa Mesa    8 Reviews

Over 15 years ago

Costa mesa has awesome shopping but is way too crowded and I have had 3 cars stolen in the past 5 years along with countless break-ins and theft. Expensive. Close to  More

   |    Reply

Over 16 years ago

Costa Mesa has a near perfect climate . . . plenty of sun but rarely over 100 degrees (our house doesn't even have AC). Nestled between Newport Beach and Huntington  More

   |    Reply

We have a good amount of low-income, medium-income, and relatively high-income  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Costa Mesa

Reviews for Lake Elsinore    10 Reviews

The new comfort index for Lake Elsinore is 78. I lived in Lake Elsinore for 10 years, and there are usually 100+ days that the temperature is over 90, and several weeks  More

   |    Reply

8/23/2013 To someone thinking of moving to Lake Elsinore I really want to write this to you because I was in you position a year and a half ago. I was living in Delmar  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

How is the area near the Ortegas? I see a lot of families. Is this a good place for kids and  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lake Elsinore


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.