Is San Diego, CA cheaper than Sacramento, CA?

Based on cost of living data, San Diego, CA is 23.1% more expensive than Sacramento, CA. This translates to spending an extra $1731 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Sacramento, CA, you'd need approximately $170,769.231 in San Diego, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Diego, CA is 42.6% more expensive than in Sacramento, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,360/month in San Diego, CA compared to $2,180/month in Sacramento, CA.

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

Living in San Diego, CA costs approximately $1731 more per month than Sacramento, CA, or $20769 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Sacramento, CA vs San Diego, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Sacramento, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.7K/month more in San Diego, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $170.8K in San Diego, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA area

Overall Cost

↑ 23.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,731

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$20.8K

Per year

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

Sacramento, CA

Population:525K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$460K

San Diego, CA

Population:1387K

Cost Index:

123

(23% above avg)

Median Home:$980K

Sacramento, CA

The Golden State

525K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 525K residents.

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: Sacramento, CA vs San Diego, CA

Category	Sacramento, CA	San Diego, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$3,664/mo	$5,223/mo	↑ $1,559more	42.6%
Transportation	$1,421/mo	$1,571/mo	↑ $150more	10.6%
All Utilities	$530/mo	$634/mo	↑ $104more	19.6%
Other	$1,808/mo	$1,892/mo	↑ $83.70more	4.6%
Groceries	$1,059/mo	$1,079/mo	↑ $19.99more	1.9%
Healthcare	$620/mo	$638/mo	↑ $18.59more	3.0%

Housing

↑ 42.6%

Sacramento, CA

$3,664

San Diego, CA

$5,223

Difference

$1,559

Transportation

↑ 10.6%

Sacramento, CA

$1,421

San Diego, CA

$1,571

Difference

$150

All Utilities

↑ 19.6%

Sacramento, CA

$530

San Diego, CA

$634

Difference

$104

Other

↑ 4.6%

Sacramento, CA

$1,808

San Diego, CA

$1,892

Difference

$83.70

Groceries

↑ 1.9%

Sacramento, CA

$1,059

San Diego, CA

$1,079

Difference

$19.99

Healthcare

↑ 3.0%

Sacramento, CA

$620

San Diego, CA

$638

Difference

$18.59

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,690

To$2,565

↑ $875

1 Bed

From$1,770

To$2,755

↑ $985

2 Bed

From$2,180

To$3,360

↑ $1,180

3 Bed

From$2,900

To$4,475

↑ $1,575

Sacramento, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,320–$2,310/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.

$9,102

Monthly in Sacramento, CA

$11,037

Monthly in San Diego, CA

$1,936

Difference

Home Values

Sacramento

San Diego

$460K

Median Value

$980K

↓ -2.7%

YoY Change

↓ -3%

↑ +18.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +37.4%

$352K - $969K

Price Range

$598K - $2.01M

Homes in San Diego are 113% more expensive than Sacramento

Calculate payment - Sacramento Calculate payment - San Diego

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Sacramento, 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

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

Sacramento, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.