Quick answer
San Diego is 3% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $100K salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $97,000 in San Diego.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles vs San Diego Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
San Diego is 3% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-6% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$97,000
Los Angeles vs San Diego: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,400/mo
$2,250/mo
-6%
2BR median rent
$3,200/mo
$3,000/mo
-6%
Median home price
$850K
$820K
-4%
Avg monthly groceries
$440
$420
-5%
Avg monthly utilities
$140
$130
-7%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Up to 13.3%
—
Walk score
68/100
54/100
Los Angeles better
Transit score
53/100
41/100
Los Angeles better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in San Diego to maintain the same standard of living as your current Los Angeles salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$58,000
$62,000
$80,000
$78,000
$82,000
$100,000
$97,000
$103,000
$120,000
$117,000
$123,000
$150,000
$146,000
$154,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Los Angeles vs San Diego
Who Each City Is Best For
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
San Diego is best for
- ✓military families
- ✓biotech workers
- ✓beach lifestyle seekers
- ✓retirees
FAQs
Is Los Angeles or San Diego cheaper to live in?
San Diego is 3% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. San Diego 1BR rent ($2,250/mo) vs Los Angeles ($2,400/mo). Median home price: San Diego $820K vs Los Angeles $850K.
How much salary do I need in San Diego to match $100K in Los Angeles?
$97,000 in San Diego is equivalent to $100,000 in Los Angeles based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-6% difference) and state taxes (Los Angeles: Up to 13.3% vs San Diego: Up to 13.3%).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and San Diego?
1BR: Los Angeles $2,400/mo vs San Diego $2,250/mo (-6%). 2BR: Los Angeles $3,200/mo vs San Diego $3,000/mo (-6%).
Does Los Angeles or San Diego have lower taxes?
Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. San Diego (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.