2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
El Cajon, CA vs Desert Hot Springs, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Desert Hot Springs or is it cheaper to live in El Cajon?
- Desert Hot Springs is 15.3% less expensive than El Cajon.

Which city has more affordable housing, Desert Hot Springs or El Cajon?
- Desert Hot Springs housing costs are 57.2% less expensive than El Cajon housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in El Cajon or is Health Care more affordable in Desert Hot Springs.
- Health related expenses are 1.9% less in Desert Hot Springs.
 El Cajon, CADesert Hot Springs, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock131.2100
 Food & Groceries107.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock87.3100
 Housing234.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$354,100$338,100
 Utilities111  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock144.3100
 Miscellaneous153.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for El Cajon    10 Reviews

Stay out of East El Cajon. The people that live there don't like  More

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Housing less expensive then San Diego, wages the same. A total package of people from different backgrounds (ethnic) which is  More

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El Cajon and La Mesa are about a dozen miles east of the Pacific Ocean. Fletcher Hills, in particular, is a community within El Cajon on the boarder of La Mesa/Mt.  More

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Reviews for Desert Hot Springs    9 Reviews

lived here 13 years and leaving as soon as possible. crime rate high but getting better. much improved place since 2008. if you buy a house choose the neighborhood and  More

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Over 5 years ago

Love the winters but the summers are too difficult for me. Hot and super windy. However I love the serenity, beautiful mountains, hot springs, and location close to  More

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I am 29 years old and have lived in this city nearly my entire life. When my family moved to this town, there were less than 12,000 people. I've watched it grow a lot.  More

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