Cost of Living in San Diego, CA
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Price level
111.9
U.S. average = 100 · #6 of 387
Median wage
$58,690
all jobs · $3,917/mo take-home
1-bedroom rent
$2,459
HUD fair market rent
▲3.7%
Pay trend: The median for all workers in San Diego, CA rose from $56,580 (May 2024) to $58,690 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 1.3%.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in San Diego, CA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Salary needed to keep your lifestyle
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How expensive is San Diego, CA?
With a price level of 111.9 (U.S. average = 100), San Diego, CA is one of the most expensive places in the country. In detail, housing costs run 79% above average; everyday goods run 8% above average; utilities run 74% above average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in San Diego, CA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 111.9 | +11.9% |
| Housing | 179.3 | +79.3% |
| Goods | 108.0 | +8.0% |
| Utilities | 174.2 | +74.2% |
| Other services | 99.6 | −0.4% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in San Diego, CA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,288 | $91,520/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $2,459 | $98,360/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,001 | $120,040/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,998 | $159,920/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,845 | $193,800/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in San Diego, CA
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in San Diego, CA | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $44,800 | $36,813 |
| $60,000 | $67,100 | $53,007 |
| $80,000 | $89,500 | $66,536 |
| $100,000 | $111,900 | $79,920 |
| $150,000 | $167,800 | $112,400 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, California 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning San Diego, CA's median wage of $58,690 takes home about $3,917 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $2,459, which is 63% of take-home pay — well above the 30% guideline, so many workers here share housing or rent smaller units. That leaves about $1,458 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in San Diego, CA
Your take-home pay
$47,004
per year · effective tax rate 19.9%
$3,917Monthly
$1,958Twice a month
$1,808Every 2 weeks
$22.60Hourly
- Federal income tax$4,863
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,639
- Medicare (1.45%)$851
- California income tax$1,571
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$763
- Take-home pay$47,004
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in San Diego, CA
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $239,200+ | $199,604 | $178,398 |
| Chief Executive | $238,440 | $154,548 | $138,128 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $207,200 | $136,496 | $121,995 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $206,740 | $136,206 | $121,735 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $202,810 | $133,728 | $119,521 |
| Lawyer | $178,220 | $118,418 | $105,837 |
| Marketing Manager | $174,840 | $116,466 | $104,092 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $174,440 | $116,235 | $103,886 |
| Financial Manager | $174,210 | $116,102 | $103,767 |
| Managers, All Other | $169,240 | $113,232 | $101,202 |
| Pharmacist | $165,130 | $110,858 | $99,080 |
| Software Developer | $163,270 | $109,784 | $98,120 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $163,200 | $109,744 | $98,084 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $156,480 | $105,863 | $94,616 |
| Registered Nurse | $139,520 | $96,068 | $85,862 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $138,080 | $95,237 | $85,119 |
| Construction Manager | $133,210 | $92,424 | $82,605 |
| Engineers, All Other | $132,790 | $92,182 | $82,388 |
| Data Scientist | $130,990 | $91,142 | $81,459 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $130,980 | $91,137 | $81,454 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in California cities
Half of California’s 18,213,700 workers earn less than $58,240 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $41,600–$97,880 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: San Jose, CA stretches a paycheck furthest, while Salinas, CA is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $55,850 | 113.6 | $2,245 | 60% | $1,499 | $39,562 |
| San Francisco, CA | $74,260 | 115.6 | $2,620 | 55% | $2,161 | $49,629 |
| Riverside, CA | $48,400 | 106.4 | $1,777 | 54% | $1,514 | $37,097 |
| San Diego, CA | $58,690 | 111.9 | $2,459 | 63% | $1,458 | $42,010 |
| San Jose, CA | $84,050 | 110.4 | $2,957 | 56% | $2,316 | $57,306 |
| Sacramento, CA | $59,750 | 106.7 | $1,812 | 46% | $2,169 | $44,790 |
| Fresno, CA | $46,910 | 102.2 | $1,315 | 41% | $1,885 | $37,586 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $47,470 | 100.9 | $1,140 | 35% | $2,094 | $38,467 |
| Oxnard, CA | $52,510 | 110.5 | $2,250 | 64% | $1,291 | $38,440 |
| Stockton, CA | $48,990 | 105.1 | $1,395 | 42% | $1,931 | $37,985 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $56,850 | 107.8 | $2,155 | 57% | $1,650 | $42,362 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $51,690 | 108.8 | $2,746 | 79% | $745 | $38,503 |
| Modesto, CA | $50,610 | 104.1 | $1,356 | 40% | $2,069 | $39,479 |
| Salinas, CA | $47,380 | 109.0 | $2,232 | 69% | $996 | $35,529 |
| Visalia, CA | $45,130 | 99.8 | $1,123 | 36% | $1,965 | $37,126 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
San Diego, CA vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | 111.9 | $2,459 | $58,690 | 1,538,060 |
| Denver, CO | 105.8 | $1,754 | $62,320 | 1,609,350 |
| Tampa, FL | 100.9 | $1,696 | $48,940 | 1,447,120 |
| Orlando, FL | 101.4 | $1,731 | $46,630 | 1,411,730 |
| Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $1,428 | $49,990 | 1,358,370 |
| Baltimore, MD | 104.5 | $1,511 | $59,070 | 1,356,680 |
| St. Louis, MO | 95.1 | $989 | $49,990 | 1,341,320 |
Frequently asked questions
Is San Diego, CA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area are 111.9% of the U.S. average, with housing at 179.3%. It is the #6 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in San Diego, CA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $67,132 in San Diego, CA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $58,690.
Can you afford San Diego, CA on the median wage?
A single worker on the $58,690 median wage takes home about $3,917 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $2,459 would take 63% of that.
How much is rent in San Diego, CA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for San Diego, CA are $2,288 for a studio, $2,459 for one bedroom, $3,001 for two bedrooms and $3,998 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in San Diego, CA
Management Occupations
- Chief Executive — $238,440
- Natural Sciences Manager — $207,200
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $206,740
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $202,810
- Marketing Manager — $174,840
- Financial Manager — $174,210
- Managers, All Other — $169,240
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $163,200
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Personal Financial Advisor — $130,330
- Project Management Specialist — $117,460
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $106,040
- Compliance Officer — $101,230
- Management Analyst — $101,190
- Logistician — $100,130
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $96,580
- Accountant and Auditor — $96,340
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $163,270
- Data Scientist — $130,990
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $127,600
- Computer Systems Analyst — $119,090
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $105,170
- Computer User Support Specialist — $74,020
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $174,440
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $156,480
- Engineers, All Other — $132,790
- Electrical Engineer — $127,270
- Mechanical Engineer — $121,750
- Industrial Engineer — $119,050
- Civil Engineer — $108,900
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $130,980
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $83,520
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $59,770
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $57,660
- Marriage and Family Therapist — $49,610
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $49,500
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $178,220
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $76,300
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $102,810
- Postsecondary Teachers, All Other — $101,820
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $97,000
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other — $80,460
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other — $62,230
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $59,860
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $48,640
- Tutor — $47,050
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- Public Relations Specialist — $81,240
- Coach and Scout — $47,230
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $165,130
- Registered Nurse — $139,520
- Physical Therapist — $113,850
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $79,720
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $63,770
- Pharmacy Technician — $54,500
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Dental Assistant — $58,120
- Medical Assistant — $49,420
- Nursing Assistant — $48,070
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $35,300
Protective Service Occupations
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $124,840
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $110,400
- Firefighter — $70,900
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $44,270
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $43,050
- Security Guard — $38,500
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Chef and Head Cook — $60,600
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $47,100
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $46,980
- Cooks, Restaurant — $46,440
- Cooks, Fast Food — $42,450
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $42,190
- Food Preparation Worker — $38,780
- Dishwasher — $38,530
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $45,560
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $42,150
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $38,450
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $56,420
- Recreation Worker — $40,380
- Childcare Worker — $39,800
- Animal Caretaker — $37,870
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $37,290
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $36,670
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $36,510
Sales and Related Occupations
- Insurance Sales Agent — $77,020
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $76,180
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $76,100
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $74,610
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $56,300
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $42,600
- Retail Salesperson — $37,810
- Cashier — $37,020
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $84,540
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $76,120
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $65,640
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $63,380
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $61,780
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $58,580
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other — $56,780
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $55,380
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $95,850
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $83,670
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer — $76,290
- Electrician — $76,160
- Carpenter — $73,200
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $72,510
- Construction Laborer — $57,180
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $55,970
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $85,080
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $74,880
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $64,320
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $54,530
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $79,350
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $62,560
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $59,550
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers — $47,850
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $47,350
- Production Workers, All Other — $44,730
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $40,000
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker — $38,910
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $60,590
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $59,780
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $46,370
- Light Truck Driver — $45,670
- Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur — $43,670
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $43,320
- Stocker and Order Filler — $39,160
- Parking Attendant — $37,960