2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Lake Elsinore, CA vs San Marcos, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Marcos or is it cheaper to live in Lake Elsinore?
- San Marcos is 18.1% more expensive than Lake Elsinore.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Marcos or Lake Elsinore?
- San Marcos housing costs are 57.5% more expensive than Lake Elsinore housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Lake Elsinore or is Health Care more affordable in San Marcos.
- Health related expenses are 1.9% more in San Marcos.
 Lake Elsinore, CASan Marcos, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries99.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing165.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$813,500$338,100
 Utilities115  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock122.9100
 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 15 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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Start Your Review of Lake Elsinore

Reviews for San Marcos    5 Reviews

Just an amazing place to live. I have lived in 7 states and almost countless cities. Sam Marcos is one of the best. This is literally the longest place I have lived  More

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Over 15 years ago

Is this area to expensive for the average income retired  More

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Over 18 years ago

Beautiful Mediterranean climate with bright sunshine and ocean breazes. City is just 15 minutes away from the  More

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