Los Angeles vs San Diego: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Los Angeles, CA and San Diego, CA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,881,041 | 1,383,987 |
| Median household income | $76,244 | $98,657 |
| Median home value | $822,600 | $783,300 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,791 | $2,080 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Los Angeles, CA and San Diego, CA comes down to what you value most. San Diego has the lower median home value, and Los Angeles has the lower median rent.
San Diego has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Los Angeles or San Diego?
- By median home value, San Diego is the cheaper of the two ($783,300 vs $822,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Los Angeles or San Diego?
- Median household income is $76,244 in Los Angeles versus $98,657 in San Diego, per the US Census Bureau.