Cost of Living: Denver vs San Diego (2026)

Denver vs San Diego cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Diego is about 6% more expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $105,771 in San Diego.

San Diego is about 6% more expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $105,771 in San Diego.

Denver vs San Diego: the numbers

MetricDenverSan DiegoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)106112+6%
Median rent$1,770$2,223+26%
Median home value$586,700$848,500+45%
Median household income$91,681$104,321+14%

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 Denver has the same buying power as about $105,771 in San Diego. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Diego is like $94,544 in Denver.

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

Compare any salary: Denver 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 106 — a 6% difference. Your money goes further in Denver.

About $105,771 — that's what you'd need in San Diego to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Denver.