✦ Cost of living
San Diego
San Diego, California
US = 100
Metro median gross rent: $2,296/mo · U.S. Census ACS 2023
In plain terms: San Diego is about 12% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $2,500/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing148+48%
- Food & groceries93−7%
- Transport107+7%
- Utilities87−13%
- Healthcare92−8%
- Goods & services96−4%
Is San Diego expensive?
Yes, moderately. San Diego indexes at 112 against a US average of 100 — roughly 12% above it. That is above average without being in the top bracket, and which neighbourhood you rent in decides most of the gap.
Of the 87 cities we track, San Diego ranks #20 by overall cost — 67 of them are cheaper.
What a month in San Diego costs
One person
$3,740/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$5,190/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$9,120/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,900 | $2,500 | $4,600 |
| Food & groceries | $430 | $620 | $1,040 |
| Transport | $640 | $940 | $1,580 |
| Utilities | $170 | $260 | $440 |
| Healthcare | $260 | $380 | $630 |
| Goods & services | $340 | $490 | $830 |
| Total per month | $3,740 | $5,190 | $9,120 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to San Diego
America's finest weather, beaches and a laid-back pace — pricey, but cheaper than LA or SF.
- Currency
- US dollar ($ USD)
- Languages
- English
- Time zone
- UTC-8
- Internet
- 200 Mbps
- English
- Native language
- Safety
- 55/100
- Climate
- ❄ 14°C · ☀ 22°C · 266 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- A/B · 120V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- North Park · La Jolla · Little Italy
About
America's finest weather, beaches and a laid-back pace — pricey, but cheaper than LA or SF.
- Currency
- US dollar · USD
- Languages
- English
- Coordinates
- 32.72, -117.16
- Emergency
- 911
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
37%
Income tax
progressive
0%
VAT / sales
7.65%
Social (employee)
21%
Corporate
20%
Capital gains
$4,300
Avg net salary
per month
Federal; states add 0–13.3% on top.
Visas & residency
Employment-based (H-1B, L-1, O-1) and family routes; famously hard for the green card.
✈ N/A for immigration; ESTA for short visits from VWP countries.
Lottery-based, employer-sponsored.
Max stay: 73 months
For top talent; no lottery.
Citizenship after ~5 yrs. Naturalization after 5 years as LPR (3 if married to citizen).
Quality of life
Quality of life
65/100
Safety
55/100
Healthcare
78/100
Pollution
40/100
Internet
200 Mbps
Jan avg
+14 °C
Jul avg
+22 °C
Sunny days
266/yr
Walkability
60/100
Public transit
50/100
Family-friendly
65/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Native
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 60
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Private health insurance
- $470/mo
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in San Diego without a car?
56/100
Car-free score
60/100
Walkability
50/100
Public transport
Mostly — at 56/100, San Diego handles everyday trips on foot and by public transport, but a car still helps for weekend trips, bulk shopping and anything outside the built-up core.
Transport in San Diego indexes at 107 against a US average of 100 — about 7% more expensive than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
San Diego ranks #60 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in San Diego — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$2,500
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$1,900
- Inexpensive meal$20
- Monthly transit pass$72
- Utilities (monthly)$150
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is San Diego, CA expensive to live in?
San Diego, CA's cost-of-living index is 112 (US average = 100) — about 12% more expensive than a typical US city — and it ranks #20 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $3,740 a month and a family of four around $9,120, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in San Diego, CA?
San Diego, CA's cost-of-living index is 112 (US average = 100) — about 12% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $2,500 per month.
What are the average living costs in San Diego, CA?
Living costs in San Diego, CA are about 12% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 112 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $2,500. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in San Diego, CA?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $2,500 per month, and around $1,900 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in United States?
United States has a top income-tax rate of 37% and a VAT or sales tax of 0%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in San Diego, CA?
San Diego, CA averages around +14 °C in January and +22 °C in July, with roughly 266 sunny days a year.
Is San Diego, CA safe?
San Diego, CA scores 55 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in San Diego, CA without a car?
San Diego, CA scores 56/100 on our car-free score — 60/100 for walkability and 50/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
❖ Compare San Diego with…
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Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.