San Diego vs Los Angeles
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between San Diego, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
San Diego, CA
COL Index
160
Monthly Budget
$8,000
State Tax
12.3%
Population
1.4M
Los Angeles, CA
COL Index
166
Monthly Budget
$8,300
State Tax
12.3%
Population
4.0M
San Diego is 4% less expensive than Los Angeles
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | San Diego | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $3,135 | $3,283 | -$148 |
| Groceries | $962 | $993 | -$31 |
| Transport | $1,232 | $1,275 | -$43 |
| Healthcare | $568 | $585 | -$17 |
| Utilities | $480 | $498 | -$18 |
| Other | $1,776 | $1,834 | -$58 |
| Total | $8,000 | $8,300 | -$300 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | San Diego (CA) | Los Angeles (CA) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $5,953 | $5,953 | $0 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $26,773 | $26,773 | $0 |
| Take-Home Pay | $73,227 | $73,227 | $0 |
Salary Equivalent
What a San Diego salary is worth in Los Angeles (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| San Diego Salary | Equivalent in Los Angeles | Los Angeles Salary | Equivalent in San Diego |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $51,875 | $50,000 | $48,193 |
| $75,000 | $77,813 | $75,000 | $72,289 |
| $100,000 | $103,750 | $100,000 | $96,386 |
| $150,000 | $155,625 | $150,000 | $144,578 |