2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Tempe, AZ vs El Cajon, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in El Cajon or is it cheaper to live in Tempe?
- El Cajon is 37.1% more expensive than Tempe.

Which city has more affordable housing, El Cajon or Tempe?
- El Cajon housing costs are 69.9% more expensive than Tempe housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Tempe or is Health Care more affordable in El Cajon.
- Health related expenses are 3.8% less in El Cajon.
 Tempe, AZEl Cajon, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries98.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing138.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$727,300$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock124.8100
 Miscellaneous105.7  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 Tempe    22 Reviews

Tempe is a very unique case of a College Town that has quickly become a Small College City or a Small City. It used to be where there was small pockets of walkability  More

   |    Reply

Tempe is a small city that definitely has nice areas, nice weather, the people are always good, and it is home of ASU. The Tempe town council has done a good job towards  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

Lived in Arizona 55 yrs Phoenix /Tempe lost my job and got a offer to keep my job but had to move Fall River MA. I will take the heat over days of cold anytime . January  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Tempe

Reviews for El Cajon    10 Reviews

Stay out of East El Cajon. The people that live there don't like  More

   |    Reply

Housing less expensive then San Diego, wages the same. A total package of people from different backgrounds (ethnic) which is  More

   |    Reply

El Cajon and La Mesa are about a dozen miles east of the Pacific Ocean. Fletcher Hills, in particular, is a community within El Cajon on the boarder of La Mesa/Mt.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of El Cajon


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.