Cost of Living in San Diego
Overall index: 160.2 — 17 points above California average. California statewide average: 143.1.
Where your money goes in San Diego
Estimated spending breakdown on a $75,000 salary in San Diego
Estimated annual spending: $117,477($42,477 over budget)
What things cost in San Diego
| Item | San Diego | California avg | US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $880,000 | $785,000 | $360,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $2,800/mo | $2,792/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Gas (regular) | $5.29/gal | $5.29/gal | $3.50/gal |
| Electric bill | $240/mo | $240/mo | $137/mo |
| Infant childcare | $21,945/yr | $21,945/yr | $13,500/yr |
Index by category
San Diego vs California statewide. National average = 100.
Other cities in California
FAQ
What is the cost of living in San Diego?
San Diego has an overall cost-of-living index of 160.2 (national average = 100). This is higher than the California statewide average of 143.1. Median home prices are $880,000 and average 2BR rent is $2,800/month.
Is San Diego expensive to live in?
Yes, San Diego is more expensive than the national average with an index of 160.2. Housing is the biggest factor at 275% of the national average.
How much does rent cost in San Diego?
Average 2-bedroom rent in San Diego is $2,800/month, compared to the national average of $1,400/month and the California statewide average of $2,792/month.
What salary do I need to live in San Diego?
A $75,000 salary at the national average cost of living is equivalent to $120,150 in San Diego. You'll need a higher income to maintain the same standard of living.
Where does this data come from?
Metro-level data combines BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI metro indices (2025), Zillow ZHVI/ZORI metro data (2024-2025), and state-level data from MERIC, AAA, EIA, and Child Care Aware.
Related tools
- California Cost of Living — Statewide averages and all metro areas
- California Paycheck Calculator — Calculate take-home pay
- House Affordability in California — How much house can you afford?
- Compare any two states
Metro-level data from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI (2025), and Zillow ZHVI (2024-2025). Where metro data is unavailable, California statewide averages are used.