Quick answer
Overall prices in the San Francisco, CA metro were 115.6 vs 111.9 in San Diego, CA in 2024 (US = 100), so San Francisco is 3.3% more expensive than San Diego; housing rents differ by 9% (194.7 vs 179.3). A $75,000 income in San Francisco buys about what $72,583 buys in San Diego, per BEA.
Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024
| Price index (US = 100) | San Francisco | San Diego | San Francisco vs San Diego |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 115.6 | 111.9 | +3.3% |
| Goods | 108.5 | 108.0 | +0.5% |
| Housing (rents) | 194.7 | 179.3 | +8.6% |
| Utilities | 172.6 | 174.2 | -1.0% |
| Other services | 106.2 | 99.6 | +6.6% |
| All items, 2008 | 119.1 | 113.7 | +4.7% |
| $50,000 in San Francisco equals in San Diego | $48,389 | ||
| $100,000 in San Francisco equals in San Diego | $96,777 | ||
| $150,000 in San Francisco equals in San Diego | $145,166 |
Related
- Cost of living: Tampa, FL vs San Antonio, TX (2024)
- Cost of living: San Antonio, TX vs Virginia Beach, VA (2024)
- Cost of living: Washington, DC vs San Antonio, TX (2024)
- Cost of living: San Diego, CA vs San Jose, CA (2024)
- Cost of living: Seattle, WA vs San Diego, CA (2024)
- Cost of living: San Diego, CA vs St. Louis, MO (2024)
- Cost of living: Tampa, FL vs San Diego, CA (2024)
- Cost of living: San Diego, CA vs Virginia Beach, VA (2024)
Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.