Cost of Living in San Diego
Summary of cost of living in San Diego, CA, United States:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $5,080.6, excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $1,406.6, excluding rent.
- San Diego is 16.5% more expensive than Columbus (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in San Diego is, on average, 122.9% higher than in Columbus.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $25.00 | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $100.00 | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $14.00 | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | $8.00 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | $12.00 | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $6.20 | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | $3.23 | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | $2.78 | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $1.38 | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | $5.03 | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | $2.17 | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $7.63 | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | $7.66 | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | $6.04 | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | $9.20 | |
| Apples (1 lb) | $1.98 | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.85 | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | $1.97 | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.30 | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.45 | |
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.20 | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $2.08 | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | $2.27 | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $18.00 | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | $2.18 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | $3.16 | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $11.71 | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $2.50 | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $72.00 | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $3.00 | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | $3.32 | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $28.00 | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.50 | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $36,998.00 | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $25,808.06 | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $252.26 | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $74.06 | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $80.56 | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $67.69 | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $23.12 | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $20.00 | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $1,948.90 | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $36,280.62 | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $69.32 | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $59.05 | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $113.00 | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $145.35 | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $3,372.50 | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $2,420.00 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $5,489.38 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $4,467.50 | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $751.89 | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $611.34 | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $5,289.96 | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 6.37 | |
Prices in San Diego, California
This city had 875 entries in the past 12 months by 94 different contributors.
Last update: 5 August 2026
Last update: 5 August 2026
Sources and References
Moving to San Diego, CA? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Dana Point, California | 65.05 miles |
| Cost of Living in Irvine, California | 84.59 miles |
| Cost of Living in Santa Ana, California | 89.45 miles |
| Cost of Living in Westminster, California | 94.67 miles |
| Cost of Living in Huntington Beach, California | 95.47 miles |
| Cost of Living in Anaheim, California | 96.10 miles |
| Cost of Living in Riverside, California | 101.37 miles |
| Cost of Living in Long Beach, California | 105.35 miles |
| Cost of Living in San Bernardino, California | 106.85 miles |
| Cost of Living in Fontana, California | 108.10 miles |
This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in San Diego
|
 PortuguêsCusto de Vida em San Diego
|
 ItalianoCosto della vita a San Diego
|
 FrançaisCoût de la vie à San Diego
|
 EspañolCoste de vida en San Diego
|
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in San Diego? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for San Diego.
Sincerely