2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
El Cajon, CA vs Palmdale, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Palmdale or is it cheaper to live in El Cajon?
- Palmdale is 4.4% more expensive than El Cajon.

Which city has more affordable housing, Palmdale or El Cajon?
- Palmdale housing costs are 38.5% less expensive than El Cajon housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in El Cajon or is Health Care more affordable in Palmdale.
- Health related expenses are 0.1% less in Palmdale.
 El Cajon, CAPalmdale, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock161.7100
 Food & Groceries107.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.9100
 Housing234.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$444,900$338,100
 Utilities111  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock179.7100
 Miscellaneous153.5  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 El Cajon    10 Reviews

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of El Cajon

Reviews for Palmdale    35 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

I've lived here for nine years and I haven't had any problems. The weather is hot during the summer we get real Summers during the winter it's cold and it's sometimes  More

   |    Reply

Over 6 years ago

I have lived here for many years and I wish I could move elsewhere. I have lived on both the east and west sides of this city. The west side is supposedly better and I  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

I live in West Palmdale, right by the mall and i just love it. The area is in need of more restaurants, preferably steak houses, a good old fashion Chinese restaurant  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Palmdale


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.