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

Based on cost of living data, San Diego, CA is 26.9% cheaper than San Francisco, CA. This translates to saving $2018 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Francisco, CA, you'd need approximately $125,786.802 in San Diego, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Diego, CA is 46.5% cheaper than in San Francisco, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,360/month in San Diego, CA compared to $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA.

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

Moving from San Francisco, CA to San Diego, CA could save you approximately $2018 per month, or $24213 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

San Francisco, CA

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San Diego, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Francisco, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.0K/month moving to San Diego, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $125.8K in San Diego, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 26.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,018

Savings

Annual Impact

$24.2K

Per year

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

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.25M

San Diego, CA

Population:1387K

Cost Index:73

Median Home:$980K

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

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: San Francisco, CA vs San Diego, CA

Category	San Francisco, CA	San Diego, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$9,771/mo	$5,223/mo	↓ $4,548less	46.5%
🚗Transportation	$2,158/mo	$1,571/mo	↓ $587less	27.2%
⚡All Utilities	$448/mo	$634/mo	↑ $186more	41.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,159/mo	$1,079/mo	↓ $79.94less	6.9%
🏥Healthcare	$706/mo	$638/mo	↓ $68.15less	9.6%
📦Other	$1,875/mo	$1,892/mo	↑ $16.74more	0.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 46.5%

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

San Diego, CA

$5,223

Difference

$4,548

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 27.2%

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

San Diego, CA

$1,571

Difference

$587

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 41.5%

San Francisco, CA

$448

San Diego, CA

$634

Difference

$186

🛒Groceries

↓ 6.9%

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

San Diego, CA

$1,079

Difference

$79.94

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 9.6%

San Francisco, CA

$706

San Diego, CA

$638

Difference

$68.15

less

📦Other

↑ 0.9%

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

San Diego, CA

$1,892

Difference

$16.74

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,460

To$2,565

↑ $105

1 Bed

From$2,950

To$2,755

↓ $195

2 Bed

From$3,570

To$3,360

↓ $210

3 Bed

From$4,560

To$4,475

↓ $85.00

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/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.

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$11,037

Monthly in San Diego, CA

$5,081

Difference

Home Values

San Francisco

San Diego

$1.25M

Median Value

$980K

↑ +3.7%

YoY Change

↓ -3%

↓ -7.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +37.4%

$693K - $2.12M

Price Range

$598K - $2.01M

Homes in San Diego are 21% less expensive than San Francisco

Calculate payment - San Francisco 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

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

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

San Francisco, 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.