Cost of living index
San Diego, CA
111.9 / 100
Living in San Diego, CA is 11.9% more expensive than the US average.
Overall prices
111.9
Housing / rent
179.3
vs US average
+11.9%
What it costs to live in San Diego, CA
San Diego, CA has an overall price level of 111.9 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 11.9% higher than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 179.3 it is 79.3% above the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is San Diego, CA an expensive place to live?
San Diego, CA has an overall cost-of-living index of 111.9, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 11.9% more expensive than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in San Diego, CA?
Housing in San Diego, CA scores 179.3 against a US average of 100 — roughly 79.3% above average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does San Diego, CA compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in San Diego, CA sit at 111.9 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 179.3. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.