2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA vs Lake Havasu City, AZ

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lake Havasu City or is it cheaper to live in Rancho Santa Margarita?
- Lake Havasu City is 39.3% less expensive than Rancho Santa Margarita.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lake Havasu City or Rancho Santa Margarita?
- Lake Havasu City housing costs are 50.5% less expensive than Rancho Santa Margarita housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Rancho Santa Margarita or is Health Care more affordable in Lake Havasu City.
- Health related expenses are 40.4% more in Lake Havasu City.
 Rancho Santa Margarita, CALake Havasu City, AZUnited States
 Overall  Unlock100.1100
 Food & Groceries103.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock131.1100
 Housing265.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$435,900$338,100
 Utilities111  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock80.8100
 Miscellaneous155.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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

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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

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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

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Reviews for Lake Havasu City    21 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

First I want to begin this review by saying I am a young black woman who stopped here for 1 day on her way to California with my husband, who is white. Every  More

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Over 4 years ago

Unfortunately, many on the far-right like to “claim” Lake Havasu City, but that’s going to change very soon as more Dems move in and help to build the economy and add  More

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My wife and I purchased last year for a few reasons: we got tired of the people in California; city living and crime. Not trying to insult anyone just true. As we  More

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