Cost of living in San Diego

San Diego, located in the sunny state of California, is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and thriving economy. Understanding the cost of living in this city is crucial for anyone considering moving here or planning a visit.

The cost of living in San Diego can vary significantly depending on lifestyle choices and personal preferences. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of various expenses, including housing, transportation, groceries, and more, to help you make informed decisions.

An image showcasing the beauty of San Diego

People enjoying the surroundings of San Diego

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

Inexpensive Restaurant MealA meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $21.5 on average, with a range between $12.41 and $30.
Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two)For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $90, with prices ranging from $65 to $175.
Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's)A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $12.5, with a range between $11 and $16.
Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi)Domestic beer ranges from $5 to $10, imported beer $7 to $11, cappuccino $4 to $8, and Coke/Pepsi $2 to $4.

Grocery Prices

MilkMilk is priced between $0.97 and $1.5 per liter, averaging $1.16.
Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread)A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2.54 and $5.51, with an average price of $4.28.
Eggs (Dozen)A dozen eggs range from $2.99 to $6.54, averaging $4.25.
Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges)Apples cost $2.2 to $8.8 per kg, while oranges range from $0.99 to $8.82 per kg.
Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce)Potatoes are priced between $1.32 and $10.34 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.59 to $3.29 per head.

Transportation

Public Transport (One-Way Ticket)A one-way local transport ticket costs between $2.5 and $3.5, with a monthly pass priced between $70 and $89.
Fuel (Gasoline)Gasoline is priced between $1.19 and $1.59 per liter.
Taxi FaresTaxi fares start at $3, with a cost of $2.05 to $2.49 per km and $28 to $70 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $2400 to $3500, averaging $2841.94.
1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1925 to $3000, averaging $2290.81.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $4000 to $6400, averaging $4944.14.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $3450 to $5000, averaging $4188.1.
Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre)The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $4843.76 to $12916.69, averaging $9210.12.
Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $6146.19 to $8492.73, averaging $7190.31.

Utilities

Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.)Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $200 and $550, averaging $317.78.
InternetInternet services range from $50 to $100, with an average cost of $70.5.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 203 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.

Restaurants

Avg / Range

Restaurants

Avg

Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

$21.50

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

$90.00

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

$12.50

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.00

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.00

Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21

Cappuccino (regular)

$5.29

Markets

Avg / Range

Markets

Avg

Range

Milk (regular), (1 liter)

$1.16

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)

$4.28

Eggs (regular) (12)

$4.25

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.29

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.48

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

$15.00

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.97

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.39

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

$11.07

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.73

Apples (1kg)

$5.06

Oranges (1kg)

$4.23

Potato (1kg)

$3.09

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.23

Rice (white), (1kg)

$4.31

Tomato (1kg)

$4.95

Banana (1kg)

$1.74

Onion (1kg)

$2.33

Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

$17.55

Transportation

Avg / Range

Transportation

Avg

Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

$2.50

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$72.00

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.36

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

$34,000.00

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.00

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)

$2.05

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.00

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

$26,857.35

Rent Per Month

Avg / Range

Rent Per Month

Avg

Range

Avg

Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,714.21

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

6.48%

Childcare

Avg / Range

Childcare

Avg

Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

$1,716.25

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

$28,750.00

Worldwide

United States

Cost of Living Rankings

San Diego ranks 7th on the Cost of Living rankings in United States.

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Oct, 2025

Full Cost of Living Rankings

Overview Job Market

Affordability

Reasonable

About this index

California Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

San Diego offers a vibrant lifestyle with a relatively high cost of living, especially in terms of housing and dining.
While transportation and grocery costs are moderate, housing prices can be a significant expense, particularly in the city centre.
Potential residents should budget carefully and consider living outside the city centre to save on rent.