2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
St. Charles, IL vs Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Rancho Santa Margarita or is it cheaper to live in St. Charles?
- Rancho Santa Margarita is 72.9% more expensive than St. Charles.

Which city has more affordable housing, Rancho Santa Margarita or St. Charles?
- Rancho Santa Margarita housing costs are 128.6% more expensive than St. Charles housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in St. Charles or is Health Care more affordable in Rancho Santa Margarita.
- Health related expenses are 0.8% more in Rancho Santa Margarita.
 St. Charles, ILRancho Santa Margarita, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock164.9100
 Food & Groceries98.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock93.4100
 Housing115.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$863,100$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock117.4100
 Miscellaneous138.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for St. Charles    6 Reviews

Over 13 years ago

good  More

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Moving to Saint Charles from Kansas City was quite to sticker shock from a cost of living standpoint. I did do my homework and knew this would be the case, but it  More

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Over 16 years ago

St. Charles, Illinois is a small, trendy river town. It hosts amenities that appeal to everyone. Biking, running, walking, hiking, camping, horseback riding, kayaking,  More

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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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