2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
La Mesa, CA vs Lancaster, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lancaster or is it cheaper to live in La Mesa?
- Lancaster is 4.4% more expensive than La Mesa.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lancaster or La Mesa?
- Lancaster housing costs are 47.8% less expensive than La Mesa housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in La Mesa or is Health Care more affordable in Lancaster.
- Health related expenses are 0.1% less in Lancaster.
 La Mesa, CALancaster, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock161.7100
 Food & Groceries108.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.9100
 Housing253.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$415,800$338,100
 Utilities107  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock119.2100
 Miscellaneous153.3  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 La Mesa    9 Reviews

The same San Diego prices and high taxes, but not the nice weather. 15 degrees hotter than the coast. Save the money and move to AZ if you like the climate in La Mesa.  More

   |    Reply

I now live in Wyoming but I was a third generation San Diegan, my maternal grandmother having been born on Coronado Island in 1894. If you are a new arrival to the  More

   |    Reply

I Need Correct Information I lived there Over 20 Years  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of La Mesa

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lancaster


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.