City comparison
Los Angeles vs San Diego Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Los Angeles (148.5) and San Diego (141.4).
Los Angeles Index
148.5
San Diego Index
141.4
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
San Diego Rent
$3,700
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
San Diego Home price
$738,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Los Angeles to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in San Diego.
Equivalent salary in San Diego
$119,024
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Los Angeles and San Diego.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Los Angeles | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 208 | 194 | -14.0 (-6.7%) |
| Groceries | 123 | 122 | -1.0 (-0.8%) |
| Transportation | 118 | 109 | -9.0 (-7.6%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 110 | -1.0 (-0.9%) |
| Utilities | 109 | 108 | -1.0 (-0.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 118 | -3.0 (-2.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$7,070 / $6,650
Los Angeles / San Diego
Couple
$11,740 / $11,040
Los Angeles / San Diego
Family
$16,540 / $15,560
Los Angeles / San Diego
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
View San Diego city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for San Diego.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.