Is San Diego, CA cheaper than New York, NY?

Based on cost of living data, San Diego, CA is 14.3% cheaper than New York, NY. This translates to saving $1071 per month.

What salary do I need in San Diego, CA to live like I do in New York, NY?

If you earn $150,000 in New York, NY, you'd need approximately $137,142.857 in San Diego, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between New York, NY and San Diego, CA?

Housing in San Diego, CA is 31.7% cheaper than in New York, NY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,360/month in San Diego, CA compared to $3,590/month in New York, NY.

How much can I save per month by moving from New York, NY to San Diego, CA?

Moving from New York, NY to San Diego, CA could save you approximately $1071 per month, or $12857 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

New York, NY

Tap to swap

San Diego, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in New York, NY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.1K/month moving to San Diego, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $137.1K in San Diego, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↓ 14.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,071

Savings

Annual Impact

$12.9K

Per year

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

New York, NY

Population:8337K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.05M

San Diego, CA

Population:1387K

Cost Index:86

Median Home:$980K

New York, NY

The Empire State

8.3M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Most populous city in the US
•Major global financial center
•World-renowned cultural hub

Major Industries

FinanceReal EstateTechnologyMedia

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: New York, NY vs San Diego, CA

Category	New York, NY	San Diego, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,648/mo	$5,223/mo	↓ $2,425less	31.7%
📦Other	$2,034/mo	$1,892/mo	↓ $142less	7.0%
🛒Groceries	$1,165/mo	$1,079/mo	↓ $85.94less	7.4%
🏥Healthcare	$688/mo	$638/mo	↓ $49.57less	7.2%
⚡All Utilities	$600/mo	$634/mo	↑ $33.88more	5.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,602/mo	$1,571/mo	↓ $31.42less	2.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 31.7%

New York, NY

$7,648

San Diego, CA

$5,223

Difference

$2,425

less

📦Other

↓ 7.0%

New York, NY

$2,034

San Diego, CA

$1,892

Difference

$142

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.4%

New York, NY

$1,165

San Diego, CA

$1,079

Difference

$85.94

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 7.2%

New York, NY

$688

San Diego, CA

$638

Difference

$49.57

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 5.6%

New York, NY

$600

San Diego, CA

$634

Difference

$33.88

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.0%

New York, NY

$1,602

San Diego, CA

$1,571

Difference

$31.42

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

New York, NY: NYC Income Tax$5,689/yr (3.8%)

San Diego, CA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$3,120

To$2,565

↓ $555

1 Bed

From$3,270

To$2,755

↓ $515

2 Bed

From$3,590

To$3,360

↓ $230

3 Bed

From$4,500

To$4,475

↓ $25.00

New York, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,260–$3,990/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.

$13,737

Monthly in New York, NY

$11,037

Monthly in San Diego, CA

$2,700

Difference

Home Values

New York

San Diego

$1.05M

Median Value

$980K

↓ -0.1%

YoY Change

↓ -3%

↓ -5.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +37.4%

$471K - $3.49M

Price Range

$598K - $2.01M

Homes in San Diego are 7% less expensive than New York

Calculate payment - New York Calculate payment - San Diego

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $1.1K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$90.26

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.7%

Rate difference

New York, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

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

New York, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

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.