Cost of Living Comparison Between El Cajon, CA and New York, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between El Cajon, CA and New York, NY

🙂 Solo nomad: El Cajon, CA is 31.9% cheaper than New York, NY without rent, and 27% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: El Cajon, CA is 30.1% cheaper than New York, NY without rent, and 29% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
El Cajon, CA
New York, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.68 $19.68
$29.68 $29.68
-33.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.6 $79.6
$144 $144
-44.83%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$15.09 $15.09
$12.43 $12.43
21.40%
Cappuccino
$5.17 $5.17
$5.84 $5.84
-11.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02 $3.02
$3.26 $3.26
-7.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55 $2.55
$2.58 $2.58
-1.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.13 $7.13
$8.24 $8.24
-13.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.07 $8.07
$11.86 $11.86
-31.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
El Cajon, CA
New York, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.16 $1.16
$1.56 $1.56
-25.64%
White Bread (500g)
$4.3 $4.3
$5.23 $5.23
-17.78%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.44 $4.44
$8.11 $8.11
-45.25%
Eggs
$3.9 $3.9
$7.25 $7.25
-46.21%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.55 $13.55
$17.08 $17.08
-20.67%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.95 $15.95
$16.24 $16.24
-1.79%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.72 $15.72
$20.02 $20.02
-21.48%
Apples (1kg)
$4.44 $4.44
$7.49 $7.49
-40.72%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.55 $2.55
-32.94%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.91 $3.91
$5.82 $5.82
-32.82%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.77 $4.77
$6.52 $6.52
-26.84%
Potato (1kg)
$3.08 $3.08
$3.72 $3.72
-17.20%
Onion (1kg)
$2.37 $2.37
$3.9 $3.9
-39.23%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.1 $2.1
$3.07 $3.07
-31.60%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.37 $2.37
$2.57 $2.57
-7.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.06 $12.06
$19.21 $19.21
-37.22%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.29 $15.29
$17.79 $17.79
-14.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.81 $1.81
$3.01 $3.01
-39.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55 $2.55
$3.72 $3.72
-31.45%
🚌 Getting Around
El Cajon, CA
New York, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.93 $1.93
$2.92 $2.92
-33.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$134 $134
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.92 $2.92
$5.13 $5.13
-43.08%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.72 $1.72
$2.15 $2.15
-20.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.43 $28.43
$41.57 $41.57
-31.61%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 $1.25
$0.95 $0.95
31.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.3K $25.3K
$35K $35K
-27.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5K $27.5K
$27.7K $27.7K
-0.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
El Cajon, CA
New York, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$155 $155
$179 $179
-13.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$54.9 $54.9
$60 $60
-8.40%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.1 $71.1
$63.8 $63.8
11.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
El Cajon, CA
New York, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.44 $43.44
$141 $141
-69.13%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$63.9 $63.9
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.29 $15.29
$19.9 $19.9
-23.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
El Cajon, CA
New York, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,500 $1,500
$3,206 $3,206
-53.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$28.9K $28.9K
$56.5K $56.5K
-48.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
El Cajon, CA
New York, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.79 $46.79
$65.7 $65.7
-28.79%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.14 $33.14
$48.75 $48.75
-32.02%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.6 $99.6
$111 $111
-10.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$101 $101
$172 $172
-41.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
El Cajon, CA
New York, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,428 $2,428
$4,165 $4,165
-41.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,939 $1,939
$2,653 $2,653
-26.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,953 $2,953
$8,412 $8,412
-64.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$4,029 $4,029
$5,277 $5,277
-23.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,755 $2,755
$15.6K $15.6K
-82.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,148 $2,148
$11.2K $11.2K
-80.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
El Cajon, CA
New York, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,070 $4,070
$5,616 $5,616
-27.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
6.44
-0.78%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for El Cajon, CA: October 27, 2025

Last update for New York, NY: October 28, 2025

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