San Diego vs San Francisco
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA.
San Diego, CA
COL Index
160
Monthly Budget
$8,000
State Tax
12.3%
Population
1.4M
San Francisco, CA
COL Index
179
Monthly Budget
$8,950
State Tax
12.3%
Population
0.9M
San Diego is 12% less expensive than San Francisco
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | San Diego | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $3,135 | $3,605 | -$470 |
| Groceries | $962 | $1,061 | -$99 |
| Transport | $1,232 | $1,369 | -$137 |
| Healthcare | $568 | $621 | -$53 |
| Utilities | $480 | $537 | -$57 |
| Other | $1,776 | $1,958 | -$182 |
| Total | $8,000 | $8,950 | -$950 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | San Diego (CA) | San Francisco (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 San Francisco (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| San Diego Salary | Equivalent in San Francisco | San Francisco Salary | Equivalent in San Diego |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $55,937 | $50,000 | $44,693 |
| $75,000 | $83,906 | $75,000 | $67,039 |
| $100,000 | $111,875 | $100,000 | $89,385 |
| $150,000 | $167,813 | $150,000 | $134,078 |