Cost of Living: San Diego vs Washington (2026)

San Diego vs Washington cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Washington is about 3% less expensive than San Diego overall — $100,000 in San Diego is worth about $97,316 in Washington.

Washington is about 3% less expensive than San Diego overall — $100,000 in San Diego is worth about $97,316 in Washington.

San Diego vs Washington: the numbers

MetricSan DiegoWashingtonDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)112109-3%
Median rent$2,223$1,900-15%
Median home value$848,500$724,600-15%
Median household income$104,321$106,287+2%

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 $97,316 in Washington. Going the other way, $100,000 in Washington is like $102,758 in San Diego.

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

Compare any salary: San Diego vs Washington

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 112 vs 109 — a 3% difference. Your money goes further in Washington.

About $97,316 — that's what you'd need in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in San Diego.