Cost of Living in Lake Elsinore, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,382 (excluding rent), and $2,700 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,478 (excluding rent), and $5,466 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.07 $25.07

$15.04 $15.04

$50.1 $50.1

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.8 $98.8

$69.2 $69.2

$148 $148

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.79 $13.79

$11.82 $11.82

$14.77 $14.77

Cappuccino

$5.91 $5.91

$4.09 $4.09

$8.18 $8.18

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

$2.94 $2.94

$2.02 $2.02

$4.54 $4.54

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

$1.96 $1.96

$2.94 $2.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.58 $8.58

$5.05 $5.05

$12.11 $12.11

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.07 $10.07

$7.05 $7.05

$12.08 $12.08

Milk (1 liter)

$1.19 $1.19

$0.78 $0.78

$1.69 $1.69

White Bread (500g)

$3.25 $3.25

$2.16 $2.16

$8.67 $8.67

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.94 $5.94

$2.22 $2.22

$10.11 $10.11

Eggs

$7.37 $7.37

$3.44 $3.44

$10.82 $10.82

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.76 $12.76

$8.88 $8.88

$33.28 $33.28

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$17.11 $17.11

$8.87 $8.87

$24.43 $24.43

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.7 $19.7

$8.87 $8.87

$37.26 $37.26

Apples (1kg)

$6.12 $6.12

$2.81 $2.81

$8.97 $8.97

Banana (1kg)

$2.22 $2.22

$1.32 $1.32

$6.72 $6.72

Oranges (1kg)

$4.23 $4.23

$1.64 $1.64

$8.76 $8.76

Tomato (1kg)

$4.82 $4.82

$2.21 $2.21

$8.88 $8.88

Potato (1kg)

$2.14 $2.14

$1.07 $1.07

$4.28 $4.28

Onion (1kg)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.11 $1.11

$4.45 $4.45

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.83 $1.83

$0.97 $0.97

$2.9 $2.9

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.22 $2.22

$1.33 $1.33

$4.59 $4.59

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.23 $8.23

$14.41 $14.41

Wine (Bottle)

$15.26 $15.26

$8.14 $8.14

$40.68 $40.68

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.61 $2.61

$1.76 $1.76

$4.07 $4.07

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.15 $3.15

$1.72 $1.72

$5.88 $5.88

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.23 $1.23

$1.96 $1.96

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.01 $3.01

$6.79 $6.79

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.1 $2.1

$3.82 $3.82

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.38 $29.38

$32.32 $32.32

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 $1.29

$1.16 $1.16

$1.62 $1.62

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$25.3K $25.3K

$34.4K $34.4K

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.1K $25.1K

$28.6K $28.6K

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

$180 $180

$98.7 $98.7

$345 $345

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

$67 $67

$30.1 $30.1

$93.3 $93.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.13 $29.13

$95.4 $95.4

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.41 $42.41

$17.26 $17.26

$49.31 $49.31

Cinema Ticket

$17.96 $17.96

$13.96 $13.96

$19.96 $19.96

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

$1,787 $1,787

$1,400 $1,400

$2,400 $2,400

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.6K $23.6K

$19.9K $19.9K

$39.7K $39.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.8 $62.8

$40.46 $40.46

$122 $122

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.6 $47.6

$25.46 $25.46

$61.2 $61.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 $103

$70.8 $70.8

$131 $131

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$86.6 $86.6

$204 $204

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,584 $1,584

$1,187 $1,187

$1,836 $1,836

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,355 $1,355

$1,001 $1,001

$1,502 $1,502

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,653 $2,653

$2,018 $2,018

$3,026 $3,026

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,186 $2,186

$1,672 $1,672

$2,459 $2,459

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,702 $2,702

$1,982 $1,982

$2,702 $2,702

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,424 $2,424

$1,980 $1,980

$2,424 $2,424

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.49

6.19

7.25

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Lake Elsinore, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Lake Elsinore offers a different affordability profile compared with coastal hubs and larger inland metros. The Cost of Living in Lake Elsinore, CA, United States tends to be more approachable for first-time movers, remote workers, and families who want space without skyrocketing rents. You’ll feel value in housing options that balance price with lifestyle – room to grow, shorter commutes, and easy access to outdoor recreation around the lake. Daily costs like groceries and casual dining can be more predictable than in high-demand markets, especially if you explore local markets and budget-friendly eateries. For many, the trade-off is a longer drive for specialized services. Tip: Map essential needs to local options to see where you save.

Daily life here blends outdoor recreation with practical errands. Housing options range from modest single-family homes to newer apartments, and you’ll find a mix of big-box stores and local markets for groceries. For transport, a car offers flexibility, while occasional rideshares or bus connections help with weekend trips; biking along lakefront routes is pleasant in many seasons. When searching for a place, gauge Lake Elsinore, CA, United States living cost against your budget and check neighborhood access to parks, schools, and cafes. Tip: Start with a short-term lease or month-to-month arrangements to test neighborhoods before committing.

Quality of life here shines with lake access, outdoor activities, and a slower pace that still lets you reach major cities when needed. Use a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed housing costs, recurring bills, and flexible daily expenses; set concrete savings goals and track them monthly. Seasonality matters – hot summers drive energy use, while milder shoulder seasons can reduce overall costs if you shift routines outdoors. Neighborhood fit matters most: visit at different times to gauge noise, traffic, and shade; prioritize safe sidewalks, proximity to parks, and a mix of services. Tip: leverage local libraries, community events, and coworking spaces to stretch your work and social budgets.