| Index | San Diego | California | National |
| Cost of living | 176 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 120 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 119 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 294 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 126 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 131 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 134 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 142 | 127 | 100 |
The cost of living in San Diego affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in San Diego is 176, which is 76% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, San Diego may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, San Diego falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs significantly influence the San Diego cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 193.8%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Everyday household expenses like cleaning products, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics can quickly add up over time and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In San Diego, you can expect to spend 13.7% more than average on these recurring essentials, which increases your overall monthly cost of living.
The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in San Diego, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 19.7% higher than the national average.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 35 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in San Diego and this is how they responded. 29% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 71% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is San Diego affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in San Diego, the median home price is 241.1% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 83.3% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with San Diego boasting a median household income of $124,304, 52.8% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In San Diego, the groceries index is 19.7% higher than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In San Diego, the housing index is 193.8% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for San Diego are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $172,107 | $14,342 | $4,016 | $5,164 |
| Renters | $93,958 | $7,830 | $2,192 | $2,819 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Spring Valley CDP (Lake County), CA | 1,189 | 106 | 6.1% |
| Bostonia, CA | 18,008 | 141 | 40.9% |
| National City, CA | 63,422 | 143 | 43.0% |
| Lakeside, CA | 21,636 | 146 | 45.9% |
| La Presa, CA | 38,679 | 144 | 43.5% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,466,871 | 176 | 76.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Dallas, TX | 1,391,819 | 107 | 7.0% |
| Calgary, AB | 1,371,990 | n/a | |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,573,237 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 1,632,157 | 102 | 2.0% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,698,457 | 113 | 12.9% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,466,871 | 176 | 76.0% |
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