Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than San Diego, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 20.3% more expensive than San Diego, CA. This translates to spending an extra $1526 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Diego, CA, you'd need approximately $168,312.5 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 48.4% more expensive than in San Diego, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $3,360/month in San Diego, CA.

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

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $1526 more per month than San Diego, CA, or $18313 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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San Diego, CA

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Los Angeles, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Diego, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.5K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $168.3K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area

Overall Cost

↑ 20.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,526

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$18.3K

Per year

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

San Diego, CA

Population:1387K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$980K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:120

Median Home:$885K

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

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: San Diego, CA vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	San Diego, CA	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,223/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $2,526more	48.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,571/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $587more	37.4%
📦Other	$1,892/mo	$1,731/mo	↓ $161less	8.5%
🏥Healthcare	$638/mo	$554/mo	↓ $84.26less	13.2%
⚡All Utilities	$634/mo	$557/mo	↓ $76.50less	12.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$1,040/mo	↓ $38.97less	3.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 48.4%

San Diego, CA

$5,223

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$2,526

🚗Transportation

↑ 37.4%

San Diego, CA

$1,571

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$587

📦Other

↓ 8.5%

San Diego, CA

$1,892

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$161

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 13.2%

San Diego, CA

$638

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$84.26

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 12.1%

San Diego, CA

$634

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$76.50

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 3.6%

San Diego, CA

$1,079

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$38.97

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,565

To$1,910

↓ $655

1 Bed

From$2,755

To$2,135

↓ $620

2 Bed

From$3,360

To$2,660

↓ $700

3 Bed

From$4,475

To$3,370

↓ $1,105

San Diego, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,980–$3,690/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/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.

$11,037

Monthly in San Diego, CA

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$2,753

Difference

Home Values

San Diego

Los Angeles

$980K

Median Value

$885K

↓ -3%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +37.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$598K - $2.01M

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 10% less expensive than San Diego

Calculate payment - San Diego Calculate payment - Los Angeles

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

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

Los Angeles, 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

San Diego, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

Los Angeles, 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.