Is San Diego, CA cheaper than Portland, OR?

Based on cost of living data, San Diego, CA is 10.8% more expensive than Portland, OR. This translates to spending an extra $808 per month.

What salary do I need in San Diego, CA to live like I do in Portland, OR?

If you earn $150,000 in Portland, OR, you'd need approximately $159,692.308 in San Diego, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Portland, OR and San Diego, CA?

Housing in San Diego, CA is 11.0% more expensive than in Portland, OR. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,360/month in San Diego, CA compared to $1,900/month in Portland, OR.

How much can I save per month by moving from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA?

Living in San Diego, CA costs approximately $808 more per month than Portland, OR, or $9692 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Portland, OR

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San Diego, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Portland, OR

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $808/month more in San Diego, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $159.7K in San Diego, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area

Overall Cost

↑ 10.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$808

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$9.7K

Per year

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

Portland, OR

Population:641K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$535K

San Diego, CA

Population:1387K

Cost Index:111

Median Home:$980K

Portland, OR

The Beaver State

641K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Oceanic

Notable Facts

•Craft beer capital
•Foodie destination
•Keep Portland Weird

Major Industries

TechnologyManufacturingFood & BeverageTourism

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: Portland, OR vs San Diego, CA

Category	Portland, OR	San Diego, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,704/mo	$5,223/mo	↑ $520more	11.0%
⚡All Utilities	$475/mo	$634/mo	↑ $158more	33.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,721/mo	$1,571/mo	↓ $150less	8.7%
📦Other	$1,925/mo	$1,892/mo	↓ $33.48less	1.7%
🏥Healthcare	$663/mo	$638/mo	↓ $24.78less	3.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,069/mo	$1,079/mo	↑ $9.99more	0.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 11.0%

Portland, OR

$4,704

San Diego, CA

$5,223

Difference

$520

⚡All Utilities

↑ 33.3%

Portland, OR

$475

San Diego, CA

$634

Difference

$158

🚗Transportation

↓ 8.7%

Portland, OR

$1,721

San Diego, CA

$1,571

Difference

$150

less

📦Other

↓ 1.7%

Portland, OR

$1,925

San Diego, CA

$1,892

Difference

$33.48

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 3.7%

Portland, OR

$663

San Diego, CA

$638

Difference

$24.78

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.9%

Portland, OR

$1,069

San Diego, CA

$1,079

Difference

$9.99

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Portland, OR: Multnomah County Preschool for All$1,500/yr (1.0%)

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$1,555

To$2,565

↑ $1,010

1 Bed

From$1,655

To$2,755

↑ $1,100

2 Bed

From$1,900

To$3,360

↑ $1,460

3 Bed

From$2,590

To$4,475

↑ $1,885

Portland, ORZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,580–$2,030/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.

$10,557

Monthly in Portland, OR

$11,037

Monthly in San Diego, CA

$480

Difference

Home Values

Portland

San Diego

$535K

Median Value

$980K

↓ -1.2%

YoY Change

↓ -3%

↑ +7.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +37.4%

$351K - $760K

Price Range

$598K - $2.01M

Homes in San Diego are 83% more expensive than Portland

Calculate payment - Portland Calculate payment - San Diego

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $4.9K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$407

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.3%

Rate difference

Portland, OR

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Oregon State Tax

Effective: 10.3%

$15.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 35.0%

$52.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,123/month

$97.5K

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

Portland, OR Tax Rates

Sales Tax:0.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.