Moving from San Jose to San Diego?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your San Jose lifestyle in San Diego, you'd need to earn:
$76,019/year
▲ $1,019 more than you make now
| Category | San Jose | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $76,019 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$8,338 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,713 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,102 |
| State Tax | -$3,517 | -$3,612 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,631 | $58,253 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is +1.4% in San Diego
- Housing is -15.4% in San Diego
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~416 miles
DIY Truck
$2,000
Container
$3,500
Full-Service
$5,000
Salary Equivalents: San Jose to San Diego
| Your San Jose Salary | San Diego Equivalent | Difference | San Diego Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $40,543 | +$543 | $33,605 |
| $50,000 | $50,679 | +$679 | $41,141 |
| $60,000 | $60,815 | +$815 | $48,578 |
| $75,000 | $76,019 | +$1,019 | $58,253 |
| $100,000 | $101,359 | +$1,359 | $73,723 |
| $150,000 | $152,038 | +$2,038 | $103,989 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How San Jose and San Diego Compare
Housing (15% cheaper in San Diego)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in San Diego rents for $2,195/month compared to $2,559/month in San Jose. Median home prices: $895,000 in San Diego vs $1,626,000 in San Jose.
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 1.4% higher than San Jose, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).San Jose: 110.4, San Diego: 111.9.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your San Jose 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.
Compare Savings Rates →