2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Upland, CA vs El Cajon, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in El Cajon or is it cheaper to live in Upland?
- El Cajon is 30.6% more expensive than Upland.

Which city has more affordable housing, El Cajon or Upland?
- El Cajon housing costs are 3.9% more expensive than Upland housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Upland or is Health Care more affordable in El Cajon.
- Health related expenses are 2.7% more in El Cajon.
 Upland, CAEl Cajon, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries101.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing225.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$727,300$338,100
 Utilities105  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock124.8100
 Miscellaneous110.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Upland    7 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

Great city except during the summer months where it is getting increasingly  More

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I grew up in Upland at the tail end of the Citrus Industry. That's what basically defines the town. Greed corrupted things when City Council members in the 50's took  More

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Why I Think the Quality of Life is Good Here I have lived in this town since I was a little girl in the 60's, and have grown up here. Now 47, and never moved out  More

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Reviews for El Cajon    10 Reviews

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

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

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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

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