Is San Diego, CA cheaper than Salem, OR?

Based on cost of living data, San Diego, CA is 21.8% more expensive than Salem, OR. This translates to spending an extra $1633 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Salem, OR, you'd need approximately $169,591.034 in San Diego, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Diego, CA is 35.6% more expensive than in Salem, OR. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,360/month in San Diego, CA compared to $1,218/month in Salem, OR.

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

Living in San Diego, CA costs approximately $1633 more per month than Salem, OR, or $19591 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Salem, OR 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 Salem, OR

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.6K/month more in San Diego, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $169.6K in San Diego, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 21.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,633

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$19.6K

Per year

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

Salem, OR

Population:177K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$471K

San Diego, CA

Population:1387K

Cost Index:

122

(22% above avg)

Median Home:$980K

Salem, OR

The Beaver State

177K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Oregon, this city has a population of 177K 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: Salem, OR vs San Diego, CA

Category	Salem, OR	San Diego, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$3,851/mo	$5,223/mo	↑ $1,372more	35.6%
All Utilities	$453/mo	$634/mo	↑ $180more	39.8%
Other	$1,751/mo	$1,892/mo	↑ $140more	8.0%
Groceries	$1,020/mo	$1,079/mo	↑ $59.42more	5.8%
Healthcare	$632/mo	$638/mo	↑ $5.87more	0.9%
Transportation	$1,566/mo	$1,571/mo	↑ $5.20more	0.3%

Housing

↑ 35.6%

Salem, OR

$3,851

San Diego, CA

$5,223

Difference

$1,372

All Utilities

↑ 39.8%

Salem, OR

$453

San Diego, CA

$634

Difference

$180

Other

↑ 8.0%

Salem, OR

$1,751

San Diego, CA

$1,892

Difference

$140

Groceries

↑ 5.8%

Salem, OR

$1,020

San Diego, CA

$1,079

Difference

$59.42

Healthcare

↑ 0.9%

Salem, OR

$632

San Diego, CA

$638

Difference

$5.87

Transportation

↑ 0.3%

Salem, OR

$1,566

San Diego, CA

$1,571

Difference

$5.20

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$924

To$2,565

↑ $1,641

1 Bed

From$936

To$2,755

↑ $1,819

2 Bed

From$1,218

To$3,360

↑ $2,142

3 Bed

From$1,686

To$4,475

↑ $2,789

Salem, ORZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,150–$1,580/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.

$9,273

Monthly in Salem, OR

$11,037

Monthly in San Diego, CA

$1,764

Difference

Home Values

Salem

San Diego

$471K

Median Value

$980K

↑ +0.3%

YoY Change

↓ -3%

↑ +26.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +37.4%

$364K - $488K

Price Range

$598K - $2.01M

Homes in San Diego are 108% more expensive than Salem

Calculate payment - Salem 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

Salem, 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

Salem, 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.