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Atlanta vs San Diego: prices, pay and housing
| Atlanta, GA | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 100.1 | 111.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $71,900 | $79,060 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $51,170 | $58,690 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $71,858 | $70,661 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,572 | $61,188 |
| Typical home value | $382,938 | $946,365 |
| Median household income | $86,338 | $102,285 |
| Home price / household income | 4.4 | 9.3 |
| Metro population | 6,176,937 | 3,282,782 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Atlanta to San Diego
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Atlanta to San Diego, multiply your salary by 1.118.
| Salary in Atlanta | Same buying power in San Diego |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Atlanta | $55,911 in San Diego |
| $75,000 in Atlanta | $83,867 in San Diego |
| $100,000 in Atlanta | $111,822 in San Diego |
| $150,000 in Atlanta | $167,733 in San Diego |
| $200,000 in Atlanta | $223,644 in San Diego |
Salaries for common jobs in Atlanta and San Diego
| Job | Atlanta | San Diego | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,880 | $36,830 | $31,862 / $32,917 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,340 | $40,870 | $28,324 / $36,528 |
| Retail Salespersons | $35,050 | $41,850 | $35,030 / $37,404 |
| Cashiers | $30,470 | $39,820 | $30,452 / $35,589 |
| Registered Nurses | $99,760 | $145,060 | $99,702 / $129,649 |
| Office Clerks, General | $44,300 | $51,310 | $44,274 / $45,859 |
| General and Operations Managers | $141,560 | $144,610 | $141,478 / $129,246 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,870 | $47,700 | $26,854 / $42,632 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,680 | $44,270 | $41,656 / $39,567 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $36,120 | $41,970 | $36,099 / $37,511 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,980 | $42,790 | $38,957 / $38,244 |
| Software Developers | $135,870 | $163,300 | $135,791 / $145,951 |
| Security Guards | $38,790 | $43,110 | $38,768 / $38,530 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $96,810 | $100,980 | $96,754 / $90,252 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,780 | $45,770 | $35,759 / $40,907 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Atlanta vs San Diego: questions
Is Atlanta more expensive than San Diego?
No. BEA prices are 100.1 in Atlanta, GA and 111.9 in San Diego, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Diego to match $100,000 in Atlanta?
About $111,822, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Atlanta or San Diego?
Atlanta, GA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.