Barstow, CA vs Lake Elsinore, CA

The cost of living difference between Barstow, CA and Lake Elsinore, CA is dramatic. Barstow is 35.7% cheaper than Lake Elsinore, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barstow has a cost index of 88 while Lake Elsinore sits at 137, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Barstow is $1,065/month compared to $1,915/month in Lake Elsinore — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Barstow is more affordable at $222,600 median vs $505,700.

Median household income in Barstow is $51,811 compared to $96,527 in Lake Elsinore (-46.3%). While Lake Elsinore is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Barstow spend roughly 24.7% of their income on rent, more than the 23.8% in Lake Elsinore.