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San Diego vs San Francisco: prices, pay and housing
| San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 111.9 | 115.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $79,060 | $100,220 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $58,690 | $74,260 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,661 | $86,686 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $61,188 | $74,106 |
| Typical home value | $946,365 | $1,149,215 |
| Median household income | $102,285 | $133,780 |
| Home price / household income | 9.3 | 8.6 |
| Metro population | 3,282,782 | 4,653,593 |
*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: San Diego to San Francisco
To keep the same standard of living when moving from San Diego to San Francisco, multiply your salary by 1.033.
| Salary in San Diego | Same buying power in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in San Diego | $51,665 in San Francisco |
| $75,000 in San Diego | $77,498 in San Francisco |
| $100,000 in San Diego | $103,330 in San Francisco |
| $150,000 in San Diego | $154,995 in San Francisco |
| $200,000 in San Diego | $206,660 in San Francisco |
Salaries for common jobs in San Diego and San Francisco
| Job | San Diego | San Francisco | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,830 | $38,810 | $32,917 / $33,569 |
| Software Developers | $163,300 | $193,430 | $145,951 / $167,308 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $40,870 | $44,620 | $36,528 / $38,594 |
| General and Operations Managers | $144,610 | $177,240 | $129,246 / $153,305 |
| Registered Nurses | $145,060 | $176,900 | $129,649 / $153,010 |
| Retail Salespersons | $41,850 | $47,290 | $37,404 / $40,904 |
| Cashiers | $39,820 | $43,260 | $35,589 / $37,418 |
| Office Clerks, General | $51,310 | $56,950 | $45,859 / $49,259 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,270 | $51,280 | $39,567 / $44,355 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $85,600 | $110,360 | $76,506 / $95,456 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,970 | $48,720 | $37,511 / $42,141 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $47,700 | $46,460 | $42,632 / $40,186 |
| Security Guards | $43,110 | $50,270 | $38,530 / $43,481 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,790 | $47,210 | $38,244 / $40,835 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $103,810 | $120,780 | $92,781 / $104,469 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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San Diego vs San Francisco: questions
Is San Diego more expensive than San Francisco?
No. BEA prices are 111.9 in San Diego, CA and 115.6 in San Francisco, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100,000 in San Diego?
About $103,330, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, San Diego or San Francisco?
San Francisco, 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.
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