Cost of Living in San Diego, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,297 (excluding rent), and $3,880 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,197 (excluding rent), and $7,473 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$23.31 $23.31

$15.2 $15.2

$35.47 $35.47

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$73.6 $73.6

$196 $196

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.92 $14.92

$11.94 $11.94

$17.9 $17.9

Cappuccino

$5.94 $5.94

$4.03 $4.03

$8.05 $8.05

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.09 $3.09

$2.46 $2.46

$4.12 $4.12

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.98 $1.98

$3.96 $3.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.01 $8.01

$5.01 $5.01

$12.02 $12.02

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.78 $8.78

$6.83 $6.83

$11.71 $11.71

Milk (1 liter)

$1.21 $1.21

$0.96 $0.96

$1.56 $1.56

White Bread (500g)

$4.49 $4.49

$3.15 $3.15

$6.67 $6.67

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.49 $4.49

$2.26 $2.26

$6.78 $6.78

Eggs

$5.3 $5.3

$3.56 $3.56

$8.16 $8.16

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.48 $13.48

$8.83 $8.83

$22.04 $22.04

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.59 $12.59

$6.56 $6.56

$19.68 $19.68

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.82 $18.82

$12.36 $12.36

$28.06 $28.06

Apples (1kg)

$4.7 $4.7

$2.22 $2.22

$8.66 $8.66

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.32 $1.32

$2.58 $2.58

Oranges (1kg)

$4.07 $4.07

$1.01 $1.01

$7.87 $7.87

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$2.25 $2.25

$6.76 $6.76

Potato (1kg)

$3.07 $3.07

$1.35 $1.35

$6.75 $6.75

Onion (1kg)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.01 $2.01

$4.46 $4.46

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.21 $2.21

$1.08 $1.08

$3.46 $3.46

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$0.97 $0.97

$2.92 $2.92

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.06 $12.06

$10.05 $10.05

$13.06 $13.06

Wine (Bottle)

$14.89 $14.89

$9.91 $9.91

$21.83 $21.83

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 $1.83

$1.46 $1.46

$2.93 $2.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.05 $2.05

$3.07 $3.07

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

$4.04 $4.04

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$72.2 $72.2

$70.2 $70.2

$100 $100

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.02 $3.02

$10.08 $10.08

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.02 $2.02

$3.68 $3.68

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.53 $27.53

$63.9 $63.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.3 $1.3

$1.17 $1.17

$1.51 $1.51

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$31.5K $31.5K

$25.4K $25.4K

$37.3K $37.3K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.4K $27.4K

$25.9K $25.9K

$30.4K $30.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$273 $273

$185 $185

$451 $451

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$68.2 $68.2

$30.24 $30.24

$121 $121

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$79 $79

$64.4 $64.4

$109 $109

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$66.9 $66.9

$29.65 $29.65

$177 $177

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.88 $24.88

$19.91 $19.91

$29.86 $29.86

Cinema Ticket

$16.12 $16.12

$15.11 $15.11

$20.15 $20.15

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,650 $1,650

$1,015 $1,015

$2,030 $2,030

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$28.8K $28.8K

$18K $18K

$50.1K $50.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.2 $59.2

$35.27 $35.27

$101 $101

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.9 $57.9

$34.99 $34.99

$80 $80

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$56.7 $56.7

$132 $132

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 $116

$70.5 $70.5

$176 $176

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,790 $2,790

$2,084 $2,084

$3,473 $3,473

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,397 $2,397

$2,021 $2,021

$3,031 $3,031

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,934 $4,934

$3,957 $3,957

$5,935 $5,935

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,077 $4,077

$3,455 $3,455

$4,936 $4,936

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,248 $9,248

$7,819 $7,819

$12.4K $12.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,978 $6,978

$6,387 $6,387

$8,516 $8,516

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,519 $5,519

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in San Diego, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with many sunbelt hubs, San Diego offers a balanced mix of lifestyle perks and costs. You’ll find affordable options if you widen your search beyond tourist zones and seasonally high areas, while premium neighborhoods near the coast or downtown push housing and dining prices higher. The city leans toward service-heavy goods, with good public transit and bike-friendly streets that help discretionary spending go further if you plan detours and flexible work schedules. Cost of Living in San Diego, CA, United States is a central reference point when budgeting for housing, groceries, and utilities, not a fixed price tag. Tip: Start with a practical budgeting envelope for commute days and weekend explorations.

Daily life stacks options depending on your neighborhood. Housing varies from walkable downtown and coastal blocks to laid-back inland pockets with more space for the same budget. Food options range from casual burritos to farmers markets and cosmopolitan spots; groceries can vary by season and store. Transit is practical but not universal, so many nomads lean on bikes or rideshares for errands and coworking. When planning, map a few coworking days per week near your lodging to cut back on transport and save time. San Diego, CA, United States living cost is a practical reference as you search. Tip: Prioritize neighborhoods with good transit access and reasonable commute cycles.

Think in flexible budgeting layers and lifestyle tiers. Build a simple plan with fixed costs (housing, utilities, insurance), flexible essentials (groceries, dining out), and discretionary aims (travel, hobbies). Seasonality matters in housing demand and event-driven pricing, so use shoulder times to explore neighborhoods and rates. Neighborhood fit matters for daily rhythm – coastal areas offer density and walkability, inland pockets tend to be more spacious and affordable. Use a 6-week trial in a couple of areas to sense commute, noise, and vibe. Tip: Track a basic monthly split and adjust the plan as you learn what works best for your pace.