Escondido, located in California, is a vibrant city known for its rich history and cultural diversity. Understanding the cost of living in Escondido is crucial for both current residents and those considering a move to the area.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the various expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you make informed financial decisions.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $18 on average, with a range between $12 and $25.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $70, with prices ranging from $50 to $80.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $14, with a range between $12 and $16.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $5 to $20, imported beer $6 to $10, cappuccino $3.25 to $8, and Coke/Pepsi $2.33 to $4.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.92 and $1.53 per liter, averaging $1.06.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.42 and $5.51, with an average price of $3.31.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2.5 to $4, averaging $3.25.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2 to $7.72 per kg, while oranges range from $1.5 to $8.82 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.1 and $11.02 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.99 to $3 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.21 and $1.59 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $6.25, with a cost of $0 per km and $0 per hour of waiting.
  • Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs between $23,200 and $36,753.89, while a Toyota Corolla ranges from $26,024 to $35,000.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $2500 to $2800, averaging $2650.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $2000 to $3000, averaging $2500.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $2200 to $3200, averaging $2700.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $100 and $220, averaging $130.53.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $40 to $85, with an average cost of $45.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 7 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$18.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$70.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$14.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00
Cappuccino (regular)
$5.00
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.06
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$3.31
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.25
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.82
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.97
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$5.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.43
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$11.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.61
Apples (1kg)
$3.20
Oranges (1kg)
$1.50
Potato (1kg)
$2.20
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.07
Rice (white), (1kg)
$4.41
Tomato (1kg)
$2.00
Banana (1kg)
$1.87
Onion (1kg)
$2.20
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$16.03
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.24
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$25,499.50
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.63
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$0.00
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$26,024.00
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$2,650.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$2,500.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$2,700.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$130.53
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$45.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$51.56
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$35.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$15.10
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.50
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$48.75
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$80.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$100.00
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,216.00
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.7%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$1,500.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$0.00
Escondido Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Escondido offers a diverse range of dining options, with prices varying significantly based on the type of restaurant.

Grocery prices in Escondido are relatively moderate, though some items like fresh produce can vary widely in cost.

Transportation costs are influenced by gasoline prices and the cost of purchasing a vehicle, with no significant public transport data available.

Housing in Escondido can be quite expensive, especially in the city centre, with rents for 1-bedroom apartments averaging over $2500.

Utilities and internet costs are fairly standard, with basic utilities averaging around $130.53 per month.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Escondido presents a mixed cost of living scenario. While dining and grocery costs are manageable, housing remains a significant expense, particularly in central areas.

Prospective residents should budget carefully for housing and transportation, while also considering the moderate costs of utilities and groceries.