Quick answer
Raleigh is 105% cheaper than San Diego overall. A $100K salary in Raleigh is equivalent to $205,000 in San Diego.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh 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
Raleigh is 105% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+52% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$205,000
Raleigh vs San Diego: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,480/mo
$2,250/mo
+52%
2BR median rent
$1,860/mo
$3,000/mo
+61%
Median home price
$420K
$820K
+95%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$420
+20%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$130
-10%
State income tax
4.5%
Up to 13.3%
Raleigh saves
Walk score
34/100
54/100
San Diego better
Transit score
25/100
41/100
San Diego better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in San Diego to maintain the same standard of living as your current Raleigh salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$123,000
$29,000
$80,000
$164,000
$39,000
$100,000
$205,000
$49,000
$120,000
$246,000
$59,000
$150,000
$308,000
$73,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Raleigh vs San Diego
Who Each City Is Best For
Raleigh is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓researchers
- ✓young families
San Diego is best for
- ✓military families
- ✓biotech workers
- ✓beach lifestyle seekers
- ✓retirees
FAQs
Is Raleigh or San Diego cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is 105% cheaper than San Diego overall. Raleigh 1BR rent ($1,480/mo) vs San Diego ($2,250/mo). Median home price: Raleigh $420K vs San Diego $820K.
How much salary do I need in San Diego to match $100K in Raleigh?
$205,000 in San Diego is equivalent to $100,000 in Raleigh based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+52% difference) and state taxes (Raleigh: 4.5% vs San Diego: Up to 13.3%).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and San Diego?
1BR: Raleigh $1,480/mo vs San Diego $2,250/mo (+52%). 2BR: Raleigh $1,860/mo vs San Diego $3,000/mo (+61%).
Does Raleigh or San Diego have lower taxes?
Raleigh (NC) has 4.5% state income tax. San Diego (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$8,800.