Calexico, CA vs East Los Angeles, CA

The cost of living difference between Calexico, CA and East Los Angeles, CA is dramatic. Calexico is 32.8% cheaper than East Los Angeles, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Calexico has a cost index of 90 while East Los Angeles sits at 134, 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 Calexico is $1,049/month compared to $1,431/month in East Los Angeles — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Calexico is more affordable at $281,700 median vs $613,600.

Median household income in Calexico is $50,021 compared to $68,378 in East Los Angeles (-26.8%). The higher salaries in East Los Angeles partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Calexico spend roughly 25.2% of their income on rent, more than the 25.1% in East Los Angeles.