City comparison
San Diego vs Los Angeles Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between San Diego (141.4) and Los Angeles (148.5).
San Diego Index
141.4
Los Angeles Index
148.5
San Diego Rent
$3,700
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
San Diego Home price
$738,000
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in San Diego to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Los Angeles.
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles
$122,875
Based on the relative overall cost of living between San Diego and Los Angeles.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | San Diego | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 194 | 208 | +14.0 (+7.2%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 123 | +1.0 (+0.8%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 118 | +9.0 (+8.3%) |
| Healthcare | 110 | 111 | +1.0 (+0.9%) |
| Utilities | 108 | 109 | +1.0 (+0.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 121 | +3.0 (+2.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,650 / $7,070
San Diego / Los Angeles
Couple
$11,040 / $11,740
San Diego / Los Angeles
Family
$15,560 / $16,540
San Diego / Los Angeles
Frequently Asked Questions
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View San Diego city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for San Diego.
View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
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.