2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs?
- San Marcos is 18.1% more expensive than Palm Springs.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Marcos or Palm Springs?
- San Marcos housing costs are 39.9% more expensive than Palm Springs housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Palm Springs or is Health Care more affordable in San Marcos.
- Health related expenses are 1.9% more in San Marcos.
 Palm Springs, CASan Marcos, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries100.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing185.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$813,500$338,100
 Utilities114  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock122.9100
 Miscellaneous112.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Palm Springs    12 Reviews

I lived in Palm Springs for 12 years and initially it appeared to be quite beautiful. The mountains are beautiful and palm trees, very stress-free and manageable.  More

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Over 5 years ago

14 years is plenty long enough. This is a nice place to visit, not live. In the last 20 years the air quality, especially in the summer has deteriorated considerably.  More

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Ghetto Crime City with lots of glitz... Police do nothing. Called 911 three times in a year: twice, no response. Provided the license plate of the criminals in two  More

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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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