2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA vs Walnut Creek, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Walnut Creek or is it cheaper to live in Rancho Santa Margarita?
- Walnut Creek is 6.1% more expensive than Rancho Santa Margarita.

Which city has more affordable housing, Walnut Creek or Rancho Santa Margarita?
- Walnut Creek housing costs are 43.4% more expensive than Rancho Santa Margarita housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Rancho Santa Margarita or is Health Care more affordable in Walnut Creek.
- Health related expenses are 29.7% more in Walnut Creek.
 Rancho Santa Margarita, CAWalnut Creek, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock174.9100
 Food & Groceries103.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock121.1100
 Housing265.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,025,000$338,100
 Utilities111  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock127.5100
 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 Walnut Creek    16 Reviews

Apart from the congestion, Walnut Creek is one of the best places in the San Francisco Bay Area to live. It is one of the most compact/walkable cities in the entire area  More

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Over 7 years ago

Almost all of Walnut Creek water comes from Pardee dam through an enclosed pipeline. That water is direct from the high Sierras. Among the best water quality in the  More

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Over 7 years ago

I grew up in Southern California and am no stranger to a more inland California climate. Before moving to WC I lived in San Francisco for 15 years where it is obviously  More

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