City comparison
San Diego vs Seattle Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between San Diego (141.4) and Seattle (137.2).
San Diego Index
141.4
Seattle Index
137.2
San Diego Rent
$3,700
Seattle Rent
$3,475
San Diego Home price
$738,000
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in San Diego to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Seattle.
Equivalent salary in Seattle
$113,525
Based on the relative overall cost of living between San Diego and Seattle.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | San Diego | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 194 | 184 | -10.0 (-5.2%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 118 | -4.0 (-3.3%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 113 | +4.0 (+3.7%) |
| Healthcare | 110 | 109 | -1.0 (-0.9%) |
| Utilities | 108 | 103 | -5.0 (-4.6%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 116 | -2.0 (-1.7%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,650 / $6,410
San Diego / Seattle
Couple
$11,040 / $10,640
San Diego / Seattle
Family
$15,560 / $15,000
San Diego / Seattle
Frequently Asked Questions
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View San Diego city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for San Diego.
View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
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.