F
47%
Overall NAT. AVG.
13%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
123%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index El Cajon California National
Cost of living147140100
Goods & Services113111100
Groceries116112100
Health care105109100
Housing223196100
Transportation127126100
Utilities107127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in El Cajon, CA

Understanding the cost of living in El Cajon can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The El Cajon cost of living index is 147, which is 47% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, El Cajon may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, El Cajon falls within this bracket.

When it comes to the cost of living in El Cajon, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 122.6% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Goods and services make up 33% of the total cost of living index score and are a large part of your everyday expenses. These items could include things like haircuts, salons, toothpaste, shampoo, clothes, movies, bowling, gym memberships or yoga. In El Cajon, you can expect to pay 12.6% more than average for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in El Cajon is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 15.6% higher than the national average.

Is El Cajon Affordable?

Is El Cajon affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take El Cajon, for instance, where the median home price falls 154.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 47.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with El Cajon flaunting a median household income of $56,367, 1.9% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in El Cajon?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In El Cajon, healthcare costs are 5% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In El Cajon, the groceries index is 15.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in El Cajon displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in El Cajon is 5% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in El Cajon is 47% higher than the national average
  • El Cajon housing is 123% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around El Cajon

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Compare El Cajon, CA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$93,053$7,754$2,171$2,792
      Renters$43,069$3,589$1,005$1,292
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in El Cajon, CA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In El Cajon, the median monthly income is $93,053 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,171 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $43,069, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,005 on monthly rental expenses.

      California Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      California 7.25% 10.5%

      California Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      California 1% 13.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item El Cajon National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.92$24.2610.9%
      Beauty Salon $65.77$45.5644.3%
      Toothpaste $3.73$3.700.7%
      Shampoo $1.50$1.2817.1%
      Movie $16.89$12.1339.2%
      Bowling $24.67$18.0037.1%

      Groceries

      Item El Cajon National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.47$5.846.3%
      Fried Chicken $3.05$1.5793.7%
      Milk $4.98$4.676.5%
      Potatoes $4.94$4.930.0%
      Pizza $14.69$12.0921.5%
      Beer $11.25$10.418.1%

      Health Care

      Item El Cajon National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $138.66$125.6810.3%
      Doctor $132.50$135.782.4%
      Dentist $121.37$113.297.1%
      Ibuprofen $12.01$10.6512.7%
      Lipitor $508.17$468.608.4%

      Housing

      Item El Cajon National avg. Difference
      Home Price $470,800.00$184,700.00154.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $5,168.91$2,346.69120.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,398.00$949.0047.3%

      Transportation

      Item El Cajon National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.68$3.4635.1%
      Tire Balancing $64.40$59.927.5%

      Utilities

      Item El Cajon National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $223.42$193.9915.2%
      Phone $180.31$192.256.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Spring Valley CDP (Lake County), CA1,1541055.2%
      Bostonia, CA17,53213939.2%
      National City, CA61,34214140.6%
      Lakeside, CA21,03214444.0%
      La Presa, CA37,41014444.1%
      El Cajon, CA103,24914746.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Burbank, CA103,41118787.5%
      Las Cruces, NM102,950918.9%
      Rialto, CA103,54912727.3%
      Sparks, NV102,89512019.7%
      San Mateo, CA103,619247147.3%
      El Cajon, CA103,24914746.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.