Cost of Living: San Diego vs San Francisco (2026)

San Diego vs San Francisco cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Francisco is about 3% more expensive than San Diego overall — $100,000 in San Diego is worth about $103,330 in San Francisco.

San Francisco is about 3% more expensive than San Diego overall — $100,000 in San Diego is worth about $103,330 in San Francisco.

San Diego vs San Francisco: the numbers

MetricSan DiegoSan FranciscoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)112116+3%
Median rent$2,223$2,419+9%
Median home value$848,500$1,380,500+63%
Median household income$104,321$141,446+36%

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 San Diego has the same buying power as about $103,330 in San Francisco. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Francisco is like $96,777 in San Diego.

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

Compare any salary: San Diego vs San Francisco

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 116 vs 112 — a 3% difference. Your money goes further in San Diego.

About $103,330 — that's what you'd need in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in San Diego.