What is the cost of living in San Diego?

The cost of living in San Diego is 20.7% cheaper than New York City (index: 79.3). Groceries are 14.5% cheaper than NYC. Restaurants are 3.3% cheaper than NYC. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs approximately USD 3,345 per month. Local purchasing power index is 118.5 (NYC = 100).

🇺🇸 CA, United States · #10 of 577 cities · 2026

Should I Move to San Diego?

Q: Should I move to San Diego?

San Diego, CA, United States has a cost of living 20.7% cheaper than New York City (index: 79.3). It is ranked #10 out of 577 cities globally. Local purchasing power is strong (index: 118.5 vs NYC = 100). Use our salary comparison calculator to see exactly how your take-home pay would change.

20.7% cheaper than NYC, and purchasing power is strong.

Run the calculator below with your actual salary to get a personalised answer.

-20.7%

vs NYC

USD 3,345

1-BR, city centre

118.5

Purchasing Power

Strong

Purchasing Power

Cost index: Numbeo, blended with Expatistan and LivingCost where available (NYC = 100) · Data from October 2026

Personalised Answer

Compare your salary: move to San Diego?

Cost breakdown: San Diego

Cost indices vs NYC = 100

Cost of Living

79.3 Very expensive

Rent

71.8 Moderate

Groceries

85.5 Above average

Restaurants

96.7 Expensive

Purchasing Power

118.5 Strong

Rent in San Diego

1-BR, city centre USD 3,345/mo

1-BR, outside centre USD 2,383/mo

3-BR, city centre USD 5,488/mo

3-BR, outside centre USD 4,420/mo

Save by going outside centre 29% cheaper

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Considering alternatives?

Cities in the same country or region with a comparable cost of living.

🇺🇸 Los Angeles

CA, United States

CoL index 75.5

Compare Los Angeles vs San Diego →

🇺🇸 Oakland

CA, United States

CoL index 75.1

Compare Oakland vs San Diego →

🇺🇸 San Francisco

CA, United States

CoL index 84.1

Compare San Francisco vs San Diego →

Ready to run the numbers?

Enter your salary and current city. Get exact take-home pay in San Diego after tax, in seconds.

Compare salaries → Full cost of living data

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