What is the cost of living in San Diego, CA?

In San Diego, the median home value is $783,300 and median rent is $2,080 per month, against a median household income of $98,657. These figures come from the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).

How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in San Diego?

Using the standard 30%-of-income rule of thumb, affording San Diego's median rent of $2,080/month takes an income of roughly $83,200 a year. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for San Diego.

Is it better to rent or buy in San Diego?

Renting in San Diego at the median $2,080/month calls for about $83,200 a year under the standard 30% guideline; buying the median home at $783,300 takes roughly $179,215 a year in principal and interest (20% down, 30-year fixed, current rates). Timeline and down payment usually decide which makes more sense.

In 2025, San Diego reported 375.8 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, according to FBI data.

San Diego, CA Relocation Guide (2026)

Cost of living, housing, and income data for San Diego, sourced from the US Census Bureau.

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Salary needed to live in San Diego →

1,383,987

Population

$98,657

Median household income

+37% vs tracked median

$783,300

Median home value

+140% vs tracked median

$2,080/mo

Median rent

+49% vs tracked median

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.

Roughly 1,383,987 people call San Diego, California home. Household income runs $98,657 at the median, above what we see across the broader set of cities (+37%).

Housing costs are a defining factor for anyone relocating to San Diego. The median home value sits at $783,300 (above the multi-city median at +140%), while renters pay a median of $2,080 per month. Buyers should weigh current mortgage rates and local property taxes against these figures before committing.

Home values running about 7.9× median income put San Diego on the stretched end of the affordability spectrum among cities we cover. Year-over-year price growth near San Diego has been minimal, at 0.66%. San Diego carries a Very High hazard rating from FEMA — elevated risk that's typically reflected in higher insurance premiums.

Personal Affordability Check

Your annual household income: $98,657

Comfortable

Renting at $2,080/mo in San Diego would take 25.3% of your income.

$386/mo under the 30% guideline.

Well Above Recommended DTI

Buying the median home ($783,300) would take 50.9% of your income toward principal & interest.

$1,880/mo over the 28% guideline.

Cost of housing in San Diego

Median home value is $783,300 and median gross rent is $2,080/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.

FHFA's county-level home price index for San Diego rose 0.66% over the past year (as of 2025).

HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $3,001/month.

Climate & home insurance

FEMA rates San Diego's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.

Safety

San Diego reported a violent crime rate of 375.8 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.

Moving to San Diego

Planning a move to San Diego? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.

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Cost estimates for moving between San Diego and nearby popular destinations:

Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in San Diego, CA?: In San Diego, the median home value is $783,300 and median rent is $2,080 per month, against a median household income of $98,657. These figures come from the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in San Diego?: Using the standard 30%-of-income rule of thumb, affording San Diego's median rent of $2,080/month takes an income of roughly $83,200 a year. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for San Diego.
Is it better to rent or buy in San Diego?: Renting in San Diego at the median $2,080/month calls for about $83,200 a year under the standard 30% guideline; buying the median home at $783,300 takes roughly $179,215 a year in principal and interest (20% down, 30-year fixed, current rates). Timeline and down payment usually decide which makes more sense.
Is San Diego safe?: In 2025, San Diego reported 375.8 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, according to FBI data.

See the full salary breakdown for San Diego →

Compare San Diego to similar cities

Cities with a similar cost of living

Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of San Diego's.

Stamford, CT

Median rent $2,129/mo · Median income $100,718

Salary breakdown →

Hillsboro, OR

Median rent $1,797/mo · Median income $98,891

Salary breakdown →

Boston, MA

Median rent $1,981/mo · Median income $89,212

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Washington, DC

Median rent $1,817/mo · Median income $101,722

Salary breakdown →