Is San Diego, CA cheaper than Las Vegas, NV?

Based on cost of living data, San Diego, CA is 32.1% more expensive than Las Vegas, NV. This translates to spending an extra $2408 per month.

What salary do I need in San Diego, CA to live like I do in Las Vegas, NV?

If you earn $150,000 in Las Vegas, NV, you'd need approximately $178,899.083 in San Diego, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Las Vegas, NV and San Diego, CA?

Housing in San Diego, CA is 58.3% more expensive than in Las Vegas, NV. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,360/month in San Diego, CA compared to $1,655/month in Las Vegas, NV.

How much can I save per month by moving from Las Vegas, NV to San Diego, CA?

Living in San Diego, CA costs approximately $2408 more per month than Las Vegas, NV, or $28899 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Las Vegas, NV

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San Diego, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Las Vegas, NV

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $2.4K/month more in San Diego, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $178.9K in San Diego, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV area

Overall Cost

↑ 32.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,408

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$28.9K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Las Vegas, NV

Population:656K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$377K

San Diego, CA

Population:1387K

Cost Index:132

Median Home:$980K

Las Vegas, NV

The Silver State

656K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Hot desert

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital
•No state income tax
•Desert oasis

Major Industries

TourismEntertainmentTechnologyLogistics

San Diego, CA

The Golden State

1.4M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Semi-arid Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Year-round perfect weather
•Major military presence
•Biotech hub

Major Industries

MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Las Vegas, NV vs San Diego, CA

Category	Las Vegas, NV	San Diego, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,300/mo	$5,223/mo	↑ $1,923more	58.3%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$634/mo	↑ $126more	24.7%
📦Other	$1,808/mo	$1,892/mo	↑ $83.70more	4.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,039/mo	$1,079/mo	↑ $39.97more	3.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,544/mo	$1,571/mo	↑ $27.32more	1.8%
🏥Healthcare	$632/mo	$638/mo	↑ $6.20more	1.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 58.3%

Las Vegas, NV

$3,300

San Diego, CA

$5,223

Difference

$1,923

⚡All Utilities

↑ 24.7%

Las Vegas, NV

$508

San Diego, CA

$634

Difference

$126

📦Other

↑ 4.6%

Las Vegas, NV

$1,808

San Diego, CA

$1,892

Difference

$83.70

🛒Groceries

↑ 3.8%

Las Vegas, NV

$1,039

San Diego, CA

$1,079

Difference

$39.97

🚗Transportation

↑ 1.8%

Las Vegas, NV

$1,544

San Diego, CA

$1,571

Difference

$27.32

🏥Healthcare

↑ 1.0%

Las Vegas, NV

$632

San Diego, CA

$638

Difference

$6.20

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,270

To$2,565

↑ $1,295

1 Bed

From$1,410

To$2,755

↑ $1,345

2 Bed

From$1,655

To$3,360

↑ $1,705

3 Bed

From$2,300

To$4,475

↑ $2,175

Las Vegas, NVZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,330–$2,210/mo

San Diego, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,980–$3,690/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,831

Monthly in Las Vegas, NV

$11,037

Monthly in San Diego, CA

$2,206

Difference

Home Values

Las Vegas

San Diego

$377K

Median Value

$980K

↓ -2.3%

YoY Change

↓ -3%

↑ +37.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +37.4%

$265K - $712K

Price Range

$598K - $2.01M

Homes in San Diego are 160% more expensive than Las Vegas

Calculate payment - Las Vegas Calculate payment - San Diego

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $10.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$886

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Las Vegas, NV

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Nevada State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

San Diego, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Las Vegas, NV Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:0.6%

San Diego, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.