2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ellicott City, MD vs Carlsbad, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Carlsbad or is it cheaper to live in Ellicott City?
- Carlsbad is 21.1% more expensive than Ellicott City.

Which city has more affordable housing, Carlsbad or Ellicott City?
- Carlsbad housing costs are 92.8% more expensive than Ellicott City housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ellicott City or is Health Care more affordable in Carlsbad.
- Health related expenses are 2.9% more in Carlsbad.
 Ellicott City, MDCarlsbad, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries107.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing203.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,320,200$338,100
 Utilities109  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock125.6100
 Miscellaneous151.8  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 Ellicott City    4 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

Ellicott City has many great  More

   |    Reply

Plenty of jobs in Washington, DC. and Baltimore areas. Low unemployment. Education and recreation is a top priority with most families here. Relatively high standard of  More

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

Ellicott City, MD is west of Baltimore City, north of Washington, DC, east of Frederick, MD. We are close to BWI, and DC airports. There are a couple of big malls for  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Ellicott City

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

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Carlsbad


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.