Cost of Living: Los Angeles vs San Diego (2026)

Los Angeles vs San Diego cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Diego is about 1% less expensive than Los Angeles overall — $100,000 in Los Angeles is worth about $98,522 in San Diego.

San Diego is about 1% less expensive than Los Angeles overall — $100,000 in Los Angeles is worth about $98,522 in San Diego.

Los Angeles vs San Diego: the numbers

MetricLos AngelesSan DiegoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)114112-1%
Median rent$1,879$2,223+18%
Median home value$879,500$848,500-4%
Median household income$80,366$104,321+30%

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 Los Angeles has the same buying power as about $98,522 in San Diego. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Diego is like $101,501 in Los Angeles.

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

Compare any salary: Los Angeles vs San Diego

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 114 vs 112 — a 1% difference. Your money goes further in San Diego.

About $98,522 — that's what you'd need in San Diego to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Los Angeles.