Moving from San Francisco to San Diego?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your San Francisco lifestyle in San Diego, you'd need to earn:
$71,999/year
▼ $3,001 less than you make now
| Category | San Francisco | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $71,999 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$7,454 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,464 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,044 |
| State Tax | -$3,517 | -$3,238 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,631 | $55,799 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is -3.2% in San Diego
- Housing is -7.9% in San Diego
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~458 miles
DIY Truck
$2,000
Container
$3,500
Full-Service
$5,000
Salary Equivalents: San Francisco to San Diego
| Your San Francisco Salary | San Diego Equivalent | Difference | San Diego Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $38,622 | -$1,378 | $32,144 |
| $50,000 | $48,253 | -$1,747 | $39,337 |
| $60,000 | $57,882 | -$2,118 | $46,456 |
| $75,000 | $71,999 | -$3,001 | $55,799 |
| $100,000 | $96,163 | -$3,837 | $70,551 |
| $150,000 | $144,435 | -$5,565 | $99,500 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How San Francisco and San Diego Compare
Housing (8% cheaper in San Diego)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in San Diego rents for $2,195/month compared to $3,657/month in San Francisco. Median home prices: $895,000 in San Diego vs $1,181,000 in San Francisco.
Taxes
California has a progressive state income tax from 1.0% to 13.3%. California has a progressive state income tax from 1.0% to 13.3%.
Overall Cost of Living
San Diego's overall cost of living is 3.2% lower than San Francisco, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).San Francisco: 115.6, San Diego: 111.9.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your San Francisco to San Diego move. Average cost: $2,000–$5,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in San Diego
Average 1BR rent in San Diego: $2,195/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
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