Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than San Diego, CA?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 36.8% more expensive than San Diego, CA. This translates to spending an extra $2760 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Diego, CA, you'd need approximately $183,125 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 87.1% more expensive than in San Diego, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $3,360/month in San Diego, CA.

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

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $2760 more per month than San Diego, CA, or $33125 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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San Diego, CA

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San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Diego, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $2.8K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $183.1K in San Francisco, CA

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

Overall Cost

↑ 36.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,760

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$33.1K

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

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:137

Median Home:$1.25M

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

San Francisco, CA

The Golden State

874K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Global technology hub
•Historic cable cars
•Major startup ecosystem

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA

Category	San Diego, CA	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,223/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $4,548more	87.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,571/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $587more	37.4%
⚡All Utilities	$634/mo	$448/mo	↓ $186less	29.3%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $79.94more	7.4%
🏥Healthcare	$638/mo	$706/mo	↑ $68.15more	10.7%
📦Other	$1,892/mo	$1,875/mo	↓ $16.74less	0.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 87.1%

San Diego, CA

$5,223

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$4,548

🚗Transportation

↑ 37.4%

San Diego, CA

$1,571

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$587

⚡All Utilities

↓ 29.3%

San Diego, CA

$634

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$186

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 7.4%

San Diego, CA

$1,079

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$79.94

🏥Healthcare

↑ 10.7%

San Diego, CA

$638

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$68.15

📦Other

↓ 0.9%

San Diego, CA

$1,892

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$16.74

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,565

To$2,460

↓ $105

1 Bed

From$2,755

To$2,950

↑ $195

2 Bed

From$3,360

To$3,570

↑ $210

3 Bed

From$4,475

To$4,560

↑ $85.00

San Diego, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,980–$3,690/mo

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/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

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$5,081

Difference

Home Values

San Diego

San Francisco

$980K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -3%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +37.4%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$598K - $2.01M

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 27% more expensive than San Diego

Calculate payment - San Diego Calculate payment - San Francisco

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

San Francisco, 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%

San Francisco, 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.