Cost of Living: Dallas vs San Diego (2026)

Dallas vs San Diego cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Diego is about 9% more expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $108,533 in San Diego.

San Diego is about 9% more expensive than Dallas overall — $100,000 in Dallas is worth about $108,533 in San Diego.

Dallas vs San Diego: the numbers

MetricDallasSan DiegoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)103112+9%
Median rent$1,403$2,223+58%
Median home value$295,300$848,500+187%
Median household income$67,760$104,321+54%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Dallas has the same buying power as about $108,533 in San Diego. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Diego is like $92,138 in Dallas.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Dallas and San Diego.

Compare any salary: Dallas vs San Diego

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 112 vs 103 — a 9% difference. Your money goes further in Dallas.

About $108,533 — that's what you'd need in San Diego to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Dallas.