Cost of Living: Las Vegas vs San Diego (2026)

Las Vegas vs San Diego cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Diego is about 12% more expensive than Las Vegas overall — $100,000 in Las Vegas is worth about $111,647 in San Diego.

San Diego is about 12% more expensive than Las Vegas overall — $100,000 in Las Vegas is worth about $111,647 in San Diego.

Las Vegas vs San Diego: the numbers

MetricLas VegasSan DiegoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)100112+12%
Median rent$1,456$2,223+53%
Median home value$395,300$848,500+115%
Median household income$70,723$104,321+48%

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 Las Vegas has the same buying power as about $111,647 in San Diego. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Diego is like $89,568 in Las Vegas.

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

Compare any salary: Las Vegas 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 100 — a 12% difference. Your money goes further in Las Vegas.

About $111,647 — that's what you'd need in San Diego to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Las Vegas.