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Los Angeles vs San Diego: prices, pay and housing
| Los Angeles, CA | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 113.6 | 111.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $77,270 | $79,060 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $55,850 | $58,690 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,040 | $70,661 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $60,080 | $61,188 |
| Typical home value | $968,608 | $946,365 |
| Median household income | $93,525 | $102,285 |
| Home price / household income | 10.4 | 9.3 |
| Metro population | 13,012,469 | 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: Los Angeles to San Diego
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Los Angeles to San Diego, multiply your salary by 0.985.
| Salary in Los Angeles | Same buying power in San Diego |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Los Angeles | $49,261 in San Diego |
| $75,000 in Los Angeles | $73,891 in San Diego |
| $100,000 in Los Angeles | $98,522 in San Diego |
| $150,000 in Los Angeles | $147,782 in San Diego |
| $200,000 in Los Angeles | $197,043 in San Diego |
Salaries for common jobs in Los Angeles and San Diego
| Job | Los Angeles | San Diego | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,890 | $36,830 | $31,603 / $32,917 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $41,080 | $40,870 | $36,173 / $36,528 |
| Retail Salespersons | $43,010 | $41,850 | $37,872 / $37,404 |
| Cashiers | $39,550 | $39,820 | $34,826 / $35,589 |
| Registered Nurses | $140,370 | $145,060 | $123,602 / $129,649 |
| Office Clerks, General | $50,980 | $51,310 | $44,890 / $45,859 |
| General and Operations Managers | $157,110 | $144,610 | $138,342 / $129,246 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $42,640 | $47,700 | $37,546 / $42,632 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,070 | $44,270 | $38,806 / $39,567 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $43,050 | $41,970 | $37,907 / $37,511 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,400 | $42,790 | $37,335 / $38,244 |
| Software Developers | $161,900 | $163,300 | $142,560 / $145,951 |
| Security Guards | $43,880 | $43,110 | $38,638 / $38,530 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $98,460 | $100,980 | $86,698 / $90,252 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,750 | $45,770 | $39,404 / $40,907 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Los Angeles vs San Diego: questions
Is Los Angeles more expensive than San Diego?
Yes. BEA prices are 113.6 in Los Angeles, CA and 111.9 in San Diego, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Diego to match $100,000 in Los Angeles?
About $98,522, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Los Angeles or San Diego?
San Diego, CA: 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.