salarySan Diego is the 2nd-largest city in California that we track, with 1,385,061 residents. Rent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 8.1 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $105,200 a year. That is $51 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 483 of 655 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare San Diego with other big cities
Compare San Diego to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in San Diego?
Share of households by yearly income. 41.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in San Diego
| Size | San Diego | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,737 | $1,185 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,883 | $1,180 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,348 | $1,338 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,818 | $1,500 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,296 | $1,861 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is San Diego overall?
Everyday prices in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area are 12% above the U.S. average (index 111.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in San Diego
Life in San Diego
What jobs pay in San Diego
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $165,000 | 19.1% |
| Pharmacist | $163,860 | 19.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $162,030 | 19.5% |
| Software Developer | $159,240 | 19.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $153,530 | 20.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $133,090 | 23.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $120,300 | 26.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $113,190 | 27.9% |
| Police Officer | $109,190 | 28.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $106,350 | 29.7% |
| Accountant | $93,430 | 33.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $79,460 | 39.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $78,430 | 40.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $77,280 | 40.8% |
| Electrician | $75,640 | 41.7% |
| Carpenter | $73,690 | 42.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $72,180 | 43.7% |
| Firefighter | $70,120 | 45.0% |
| Plumber | $66,130 | 47.7% |
| Truck Driver | $59,480 | 53.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,780 | 66.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,940 | 67.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,600 | 67.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $45,040 | 70.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,000 | 80.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,600 | 86.2% |
| Cashier | $36,110 | 87.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,060 | 90.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in San Diego?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,257 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $848,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $84,850 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in San Diego, CA?
People who moved into a rental in San Diego since 2021 pay a median of $2,630 a month, including utilities. The California median is $2,152.
How much do I need to make to live in San Diego?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $105,200 a year, or $51 an hour at a full-time job.
Is San Diego cheap or expensive?
San Diego is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.3% of the typical household income of $104,321. It ranks 483rd cheapest of 655 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in San Diego?
The median homeowner in San Diego pays $5,658 a year in property taxes, about 0.67% of the median home value.
Is San Diego more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 12% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in San Diego?
The median home value in San Diego is $848,500, about 8.1 times the typical yearly household income.
1,385,061 people live in San Diego. Numbers are typical (middle) values.