Cost of living in San Diego, California, United States

Summary of cost of living in San Diego, California

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: $8,107
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: $5,276
  • Cost of living in San Diego, California is more expensive than in 81% of cities in USA (6 out of 26)
  • Cost of living in San Diego, California is more expensive than in 83% of cities in N. America (6 out of 29)
  • Cost of living in San Diego, California is more expensive than in 93% of cities in the World (11 out of 148)
What salary will you need in San Diego, California?
Find out with your own Salary Calculation.

List of prices in San Diego, California
Current as of Apr 2025.

Change the currency:
Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district $24
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) $15
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast $7
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk $1.28
12 eggs, large $6
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes $4.96
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese $9
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples $3.98
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes $2.01
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket $4.66
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality $23
2 liters of coca-cola $3.68
Bread for 2 people for 1 day $3.03
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area $4,976
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area $3,388
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat $274
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area $2,942
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area $2,241
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio $189
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) $53
40” flat screen tv $370
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) $154
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) $17
Hourly rate for cleaning help $31
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) $57
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) $53
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) $107
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes $137
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new $36,505
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas $1.35
Monthly ticket public transport $72
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) $24
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) $15
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) $21
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) $130
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) $10
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) $5.44
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) $13
4 rolls of toilet paper $5.85
Tube of toothpaste $3.01
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city $40
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub $67
2 tickets to the movies $38
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) $327
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert $101
1 cocktail drink in downtown club $19
Cappuccino in expat area of the city $7
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) $9
Ipad wi-fi 128gb $477
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) $0.58
1 month of gym membership in business district $106
1 package of marlboro cigarettes $13
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 362 prices entered by 30 different people.
Latest price update: April 23, 2025

San Diego position in our World Ranking

the world
11th
out of 148
n. america
6th
out of 29
usa
6th
out of 26

Cheapest and most expensive products in San Diego compared to other cities:

the world
2nd
the world
5th
the world
5th
n. america
1st
n. america
1st
n. america
2nd

Do you live in San Diego, California? We need your help!

What is the price of

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new

in San Diego, California?

$

Are you moving to San Diego, California? Do you know how much money you will need there to maintain your current standard of living?

Find out what is the real equivalent in San Diego, California of your current salary and improve your chances of a happy relocation.

Get a Salary Calculation for San Diego, California

International Cost of Living Index

loading...

Prices recently added

  • Internet 8 mbps, 1 month in Montreal costs C$70 (about 2 hours ago)
  • Sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) in Cancún costs Mex$ 1,740 (about 3 hours ago)
  • Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Cardiff costs £25 (about 3 hours ago)
  • 1 liter of gasoline in Santa Cruz de Tenerife costs €1.30 (about 4 hours ago)
  • 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Zagreb costs €4.50 (about 6 hours ago)
  • Monthly rent - 45 m2 furnished studio in expensive area in Seville costs €700 (about 6 hours ago)

Make a different comparison:

Compare cost of living between cities:
vs