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Cost of Living in San Diego

San Diego, California, United States · Population 3,064,435

▲ +8% vs United States average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$1,439
Couple, monthly$2,630
Family of four, monthly$3,475

Estimated Prices in San Diego

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$12.83per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$51.30per meal
Cappuccino$3.85each
Monthly groceries (single person)$291per month
Monthly public transport pass$47.03per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$124per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$35.91per month
Fitness club membership$35.91per month
Cinema ticket$9.41each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$840per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$584per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$1,753per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in San Diego is $4,446 per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $1,439 with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $1,871 per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($584) represents about 41% of the total single-person budget.

Compare San Diego

San Diego vs New YorkSan Diego vs Los AngelesSan Diego vs ChicagoSan Diego vs MiamiSan Diego vs HoustonSan Diego vs Dallas

Nearby Cities

La Mesa

12 km away · California

Santee

13 km away · California

Lemon Grove

14 km away · California

El Cajon

15 km away · California

Casa de Oro-Mount Helix

16 km away · California

Bostonia

16 km away · California

La Presa

17 km away · California

Spring Valley

18 km away · California

Other Major Cities in United States

New York

New York · pop. 19,268,388

$1,664 / mo

Los Angeles

California · pop. 11,984,083

$1,635 / mo

Chicago

Illinois · pop. 8,609,571

$1,635 / mo

Miami

Florida · pop. 6,391,670

$1,635 / mo

Houston

Texas · pop. 6,227,666

$1,635 / mo

Dallas

Texas · pop. 5,968,322

$1,635 / mo

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania · pop. 5,782,653

$1,635 / mo

Atlanta

Georgia · pop. 5,298,788

$1,635 / mo

Living in San Diego

San Diego is one of the key cities in United States. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $1,439, placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $584 per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $3,475 per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $2,630 monthly.

The average estimated net salary in San Diego is $4,446. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $1,871 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $1,439 per month in San Diego including rent outside the city centre. That is 8% more than the national average for United States.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in San Diego?
A net salary of around $1,871 per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in San Diego with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in San Diego is $4,446.
How much is rent in San Diego?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $840 per month in the city centre and $584 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,753.
Is San Diego cheaper than United States on average?
No — San Diego is estimated to be about 8% more expensive than the United States average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in San Diego?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $291 in San Diego. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $13 and a cappuccino runs around $4.
How do transport costs in San Diego compare?
A monthly public transport pass in San Diego is estimated at $47. Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for San Diego are estimates based on United States national averages adjusted for city size (population 3,064,435). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.