Cost of Living: El Paso vs San Diego (2026)

El Paso vs San Diego cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Diego is about 24% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $124,441 in San Diego.

San Diego is about 24% more expensive than El Paso overall — $100,000 in El Paso is worth about $124,441 in San Diego.

El Paso vs San Diego: the numbers

MetricEl PasoSan DiegoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)90112+24%
Median rent$1,041$2,223+114%
Median home value$171,700$848,500+394%
Median household income$58,734$104,321+78%

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 El Paso has the same buying power as about $124,441 in San Diego. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Diego is like $80,360 in El Paso.

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

Compare any salary: El Paso 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 90 — a 24% difference. Your money goes further in El Paso.

About $124,441 — that's what you'd need in San Diego to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in El Paso.