Cost of Living Comparison Between Redmond, WA and Laguna Niguel, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Redmond, WA and Laguna Niguel, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,781 per month in Redmond, WA vs $4,014 in Laguna Niguel, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,270 per month in Redmond, WA vs $5,327 in Laguna Niguel, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,759 per month in Redmond, WA vs $6,641 in Laguna Niguel, CA, rent included.

Redmond, WA is about 6% cheaper than Laguna Niguel, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Redmond, WA and Laguna Niguel, CA sit above the global median – Redmond, WA by 182%, Laguna Niguel, CA by 200%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.21 $20.21

$25.41 $25.41

-20.46%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$69.4 $69.4

$99.6 $99.6

-30.35%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.18 $12.18

$14.13 $14.13

-13.80%

Cappuccino

$5.75 $5.75

$5.64 $5.64

1.95%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.98 $2.98

-13.76%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.13 $2.13

8.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.96 $7.96

$8.17 $8.17

-2.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.94 $7.94

$8.70 $8.70

-8.74%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 $1.33

$1.25 $1.25

6.40%

White Bread (500g)

$4.92 $4.92

$4.33 $4.33

13.63%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$5.84 $5.84

-25.68%

Eggs

$4.21 $4.21

$4.46 $4.46

-5.61%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.69 $17.69

$12.82 $12.82

37.99%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.48 $10.48

$12.16 $12.16

-13.82%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.72 $16.72

$15.50 $15.50

7.87%

Apples (1kg)

$8.37 $8.37

$6.35 $6.35

31.81%

Banana (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$1.85 $1.85

49.73%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$4.23 $4.23

2.84%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.32 $5.32

$5.38 $5.38

-1.12%

Potato (1kg)

$2.99 $2.99

$3.27 $3.27

-8.56%

Onion (1kg)

$2.87 $2.87

$3.07 $3.07

-6.51%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.14 $2.14

19.63%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.14 $3.14

$2.12 $2.12

48.11%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.38 $11.38

$11.84 $11.84

-3.89%

Wine (Bottle)

$20.31 $20.31

$15.19 $15.19

33.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.78 $1.78

11.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.20 $4.20

$3.20 $3.20

31.25%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.33 $3.33

$1.97 $1.97

69.04%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$88.9 $88.9

$64.3 $64.3

38.12%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.61 $2.61

$3.03 $3.03

-13.86%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.73 $1.73

$2.03 $2.03

-14.78%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.34 $30.34

$29.70 $29.70

2.15%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.24 $1.24

-5.65%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$33.3K $33.3K

$31.6K $31.6K

5.43%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.2K $26.2K

$26.8K $26.8K

-2.10%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$267 $267

$199 $199

34.16%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$60.7 $60.7

$59.0 $59.0

2.80%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.7 $76.7

$73.0 $73.0

5.13%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$68.3 $68.3

$91.8 $91.8

-25.61%

Cinema Ticket

$16.15 $16.15

$16.33 $16.33

-1.10%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,215 $2,215

$1,793 $1,793

23.57%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.1K $29.1K

$23.4K $23.4K

24.54%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.4 $53.4

$62.4 $62.4

-14.46%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.4 $53.4

$41.15 $41.15

29.82%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.4 $88.4

$102 $102

-13.23%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$149 $149

-3.88%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,275 $2,275

$2,996 $2,996

-24.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,237 $2,237

$2,600 $2,600

-13.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,819 $3,819

$4,154 $4,154

-8.08%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,537 $3,537

$3,222 $3,222

9.77%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,316 $7,316

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,012 $7,012

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$9,695 $9,695

$5,126 $5,126

89.14%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.54

6.49

0.77%

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

Last update for Redmond, WA: April 26, 2026

Last update for Laguna Niguel, CA: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,275 in Redmond, WA versus $2,996 in Laguna Niguel, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 89% higher in Redmond, WA, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Redmond, WA versus $100 in Laguna Niguel, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $477 in Redmond, WA vs $425 in Laguna Niguel, CA – so Laguna Niguel, CA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Redmond, WA vs Laguna Niguel, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,781 in Redmond, WA, $4,014 in Laguna Niguel, CA – roughly 6% apart. Laguna Niguel, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,671 per month in Redmond, WA and $6,020 in Laguna Niguel, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Redmond, WA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,781 in Redmond, WA and $4,014 in Laguna Niguel, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 38% less in Redmond, WA. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,781 in Redmond, WA and $4,014 in Laguna Niguel, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Laguna Niguel, CA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,781 in Redmond, WA to $4,014 in Laguna Niguel, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Redmond, WA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Laguna Niguel, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.