San Diego vs Las Vegas: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
On median home value, San Diego comes in at $783,300 — 114% higher than Las Vegas, where the median is $365,300.
Households earn a median $98,657 in San Diego, compared with $66,356 in Las Vegas.
Median rent is $2,080 in San Diego, compared with $1,356 in Las Vegas.
Climate risk is a wash here — both cities carry a "Very High" FEMA rating.
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Las Vegas, NV |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,383,987 | 644,835 |
| Median home value | $783,300 | $365,300 |
| Median household income | $98,657 | $66,356 |
| Median gross rent | $2,080 | $1,356 |
| Climate risk (FEMA) | Very High | Very High |
Las Vegas, NV beats San Diego, CA on both housing metrics we track — home value and rent — though this doesn't capture the full cost of living.
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Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index
Data last updated July 2026.