Cost of living in San Diego, CA

Everyday prices in San Diego run 11.9% above the US average. The typical home lists for $888,450, about $4,882 a month on a mortgage. A 2-bedroom rents for $2,483 a month.

By Sol Lakein, founder of Slower Sundays. Updated November 2026.

12% pricierEveryday prices¹Than the US average
$888,450Typical home^2,3$4,882/mo mortgage
$2,4832-bedroom rent⁴A month, utilities in
26 minAverage commute⁷Each way

Rent in San Diego

Median rent by size, utilities included, next to the US. Full rent breakdown⁴

Studio$1,858/mo
San Diego
$1,858
US
$1,365
Income to keep it at 30%: $74,320⁵
1 bedroom$2,148/mo
San Diego
$2,148
US
$1,362
Income to keep it at 30%: $85,920⁵
2 bedrooms$2,483/mo
San Diego
$2,483
US
$1,563
Income to keep it at 30%: $99,320⁵
3 bedrooms$3,056/mo
San Diego
$3,056
US
$1,760
Income to keep it at 30%: $122,240⁵
4 bedrooms$3,500+/mo
San Diego
$3,500+
US
$2,153
Income to keep it at 30%: over $140,000⁵

What it takes to live in San Diego

Matches $100,000 at US prices¹$111,887
Typical household income⁶$110,941US: $84,780
Housing costs¹79% pricierThan the US average
California income tax⁸Up to 13.3%Compare states

Compare San Diego with any other city

Places that cost less than San Diego

The same typical home costs less each month in 54 of the cities we cover. The biggest and smallest gaps:^2,3

Every city that costs less than San Diego

San Diego cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in San Diego, CA?

Everyday prices in San Diego run 11.9% above the US average. The typical home lists for $888,450, about $4,882 a month on a mortgage. A 2-bedroom rents for $2,483 a month.

How much is rent in San Diego?

The median rent, utilities included, is $2,148 a month for a 1-bedroom and $2,483 for a 2-bedroom (Census ACS, 2025). Keeping a 2-bedroom at 30% of income takes about $99,320 a year.

What salary in San Diego matches $100,000 elsewhere in the US?

About $111,887 buys what $100,000 buys at US-average prices, using BEA regional price parities for 2024.

What is the typical household income in San Diego?

$110,941 a year, against $84,780 for the US (Census ACS, 2025).

Where can I live for less than San Diego?

Of the cities we cover, Muncie, IN ($3,885 a month less on the typical home), Terre Haute, IN ($3,840 a month less on the typical home), Paducah, KY ($3,539 a month less on the typical home).

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Notes on the numbers

1Everyday prices and housing costs: BEA regional price parities, 2024, where the US average is 100.
2Typical home: the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA. Rate source
4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, table B25031, median gross rent by number of bedrooms (rent plus utilities the renter pays), 2025. $3,500+ is the highest figure the Census publishes. Census table
5Income to keep rent at 30%: a year of rent divided by 0.3, the common rule of thumb. Our arithmetic.
6Household income: Census ACS 2025 1-year, table B19013, median household income, 2025. Census table
7Commute: Census ACS 2025 1-year, table S0801, mean travel time to work (one way, workers who do not work from home), 2025. Census table
8Income tax: California Franchise Tax Board, 2025 California Tax Rate Schedules (Schedule Y); FTB 2025 Form 540NR for exemption credits; Tax Foundation 2026 table for standard deduction and the Mental Health Services Tax, 2026. Top rate for married couples filing jointly. Tax source

Sources for this page