2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA vs Elk Grove, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Elk Grove or is it cheaper to live in Rancho Santa Margarita?
- Elk Grove is 22.9% less expensive than Rancho Santa Margarita.

Which city has more affordable housing, Elk Grove or Rancho Santa Margarita?
- Elk Grove housing costs are 27.0% less expensive than Rancho Santa Margarita housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Rancho Santa Margarita or is Health Care more affordable in Elk Grove.
- Health related expenses are 11.3% more in Elk Grove.
 Rancho Santa Margarita, CAElk Grove, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock127.2100
 Food & Groceries103.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock104.0100
 Housing265.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$597,800$338,100
 Utilities111  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock128.0100
 Miscellaneous155.8  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 Rancho Santa Margarita    13 Reviews

This page provides little information on RSM. I see they keep describing the area as "outside of Los Angeles." Culturally, it is so far from Los Angeles (I lived in LA,  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

The weather here is amazing. We get a few hot days in the summer but it cools down in the evening. I love being able to sleep with the windows  More

   |    Reply

This is the best place to live in South Orange County with mild temperatures, low crime, great schools and family orientated. RSM is a city that sits in a pocket backing  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Rancho Santa Margarita

Reviews for Elk Grove    15 Reviews

I grew up in the area around Elk Grove and it was a very small rural town up to the year 2000. We moved to ELk grove in 2009 and commuted to work in Sacramento. At  More

   |    Reply

Elk Grove is a very diverse city. A long time ago it use to be very white. Now the white population is about 40%, then next majority race are Asian, then Hispanic,  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

Our neighborhood is o.k. but it is expensive to live here and the air is oppressive during the summer when it gets hot for a week or more. Days over 95 and nights of 75.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Elk Grove


Learn More About Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Overview
Cost of Living
Job Market
Crime
Climate
Economy
Religion
Voting
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.