Cost of Living: San Diego vs Seattle (2026)

San Diego vs Seattle cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Seattle is about 1% less expensive than San Diego overall — $100,000 in San Diego is worth about $99,326 in Seattle.

Seattle is about 1% less expensive than San Diego overall — $100,000 in San Diego is worth about $99,326 in Seattle.

San Diego vs Seattle: the numbers

MetricSan DiegoSeattleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)112111-1%
Median rent$2,223$1,998-10%
Median home value$848,500$912,100+8%
Median household income$104,321$121,984+17%

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 $99,326 in Seattle. Going the other way, $100,000 in Seattle is like $100,678 in San Diego.

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

Compare any salary: San Diego vs Seattle

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 112 vs 111 — a 1% difference. Your money goes further in Seattle.

About $99,326 — that's what you'd need in Seattle to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in San Diego.