2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Lake Elsinore, CA vs Salinas, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Salinas or is it cheaper to live in Lake Elsinore?
- Salinas is 15.8% more expensive than Lake Elsinore.

Which city has more affordable housing, Salinas or Lake Elsinore?
- Salinas housing costs are 30.5% more expensive than Lake Elsinore housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Lake Elsinore or is Health Care more affordable in Salinas.
- Health related expenses are 64.6% more in Salinas.
 Lake Elsinore, CASalinas, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.9100
 Food & Groceries99.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock143.7100
 Housing165.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$665,400$338,100
 Utilities115  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock100.4100
 Miscellaneous112.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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

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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

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Over 16 years ago

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

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Reviews for Salinas    15 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

Sacred Heart School is a fine Catholic school in the heart of Salinas, Ca. Victoria Torcolini was principal of this PK-8 school from 2006-2009. Under her leadership, SHS  More

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Over 14 years ago

I Was born and raise in salinas. In 2006 my family moved to the central valley. I moved back to salinas in 2011. I moved back Because I got a better job in Carmel. I  More

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Salinas, California has some of the best weather in Central California. I love looking out at the mountain ranges that line the Salinas River Valley. It's a shame that  More

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