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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,055 (excluding rent), and $2,785 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,935 (excluding rent), and $5,548 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.63 $24.63

$14.78 $14.78

$49.26 $49.26

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$68.8 $68.8

$147 $147

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.81 $13.81

$11.83 $11.83

$14.79 $14.79

Cappuccino

$5.72 $5.72

$3.96 $3.96

$7.92 $7.92

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

$2.84 $2.84

$1.95 $1.95

$4.39 $4.39

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.06 $2.06

$3.09 $3.09

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.29 $8.29

$4.88 $4.88

$11.71 $11.71

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.09 $10.09

$7.06 $7.06

$12.11 $12.11

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$0.80 $0.80

$1.74 $1.74

White Bread (500g)

$3.40 $3.40

$2.26 $2.26

$9.05 $9.05

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.81 $5.81

$2.18 $2.18

$9.89 $9.89

Eggs

$7.43 $7.43

$3.47 $3.47

$10.90 $10.90

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.90 $12.90

$8.97 $8.97

$33.65 $33.65

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.84 $16.84

$8.73 $8.73

$24.06 $24.06

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.52 $19.52

$8.78 $8.78

$36.91 $36.91

Apples (1kg)

$6.14 $6.14

$2.82 $2.82

$9.00 $9.00

Banana (1kg)

$2.12 $2.12

$1.27 $1.27

$6.43 $6.43

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$1.70 $1.70

$9.08 $9.08

Tomato (1kg)

$4.91 $4.91

$2.26 $2.26

$9.05 $9.05

Potato (1kg)

$2.15 $2.15

$1.08 $1.08

$4.31 $4.31

Onion (1kg)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.09 $1.09

$4.37 $4.37

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.02 $1.02

$3.05 $3.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.16 $2.16

$1.29 $1.29

$4.45 $4.45

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.10 $8.10

$14.18 $14.18

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$9.10 $9.10

$40.45 $40.45

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.71 $1.71

$3.95 $3.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.17 $3.17

$1.73 $1.73

$5.92 $5.92

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.02 $2.02

$1.26 $1.26

$2.02 $2.02

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$7.20 $7.20

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.08 $2.08

$3.79 $3.79

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.26 $29.26

$32.18 $32.18

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$1.13 $1.13

$1.58 $1.58

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$25.1K $25.1K

$34.2K $34.2K

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$25.5K $25.5K

$28.9K $28.9K

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

$185 $185

$102 $102

$356 $356

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

$67.6 $67.6

$30.36 $30.36

$94.1 $94.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.44 $29.44

$96.4 $96.4

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.47 $43.47

$17.69 $17.69

$50.5 $50.5

Cinema Ticket

$17.75 $17.75

$13.80 $13.80

$19.72 $19.72

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

$1,786 $1,786

$1,399 $1,399

$2,398 $2,398

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.1K $24.1K

$20.3K $20.3K

$40.6K $40.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.1 $63.1

$40.68 $40.68

$122 $122

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.37 $46.37

$24.80 $24.80

$59.6 $59.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 $102

$70.3 $70.3

$131 $131

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$84.4 $84.4

$198 $198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,613 $1,613

$1,208 $1,208

$1,870 $1,870

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,368 $1,368

$1,011 $1,011

$1,516 $1,516

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,581 $2,581

$1,962 $1,962

$2,944 $2,944

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,204 $2,204

$1,686 $1,686

$2,480 $2,480

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,686 $2,686

$1,961 $1,961

$2,686 $2,686

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,327 $2,327

$1,918 $1,918

$2,327 $2,327

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: January 13, 2026

Lake Elsinore, CA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

379

Mbps

152

Mbps

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

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.