A movie ticket, a pint of beer, box seats at a baseball game they can all come with a different price tag depending upon where you live. That said, San Diego is arguably better for people who dislike the cold, while San Fran is the city for those who prefer mild climates. San Francisco, California: San Diego, California: Diff: Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area: The median age in San Diego is 33.9, and in San Francisco, it is 38.6. While America watched the Tanner children of Full House grow up in one of San Franciscos famed Painted Lady Victorian homes, lets be honest, this isnt how most San Francisco residents live. For every square mile, there are around 18,000 people living in such a tight space. Highlights. You could eat out less, cut back on takeout and cook more often. Food: Weekly trips to the grocery store can add up, especially if food costs are high where you live. Cost of Living in San Diego, CA | PayScale Private school data was obtained from the Department of Education, and average private tuition was compiled by averaging tuition across randomly selected schools in each city. Like it or not, the buyer is liable for the balance on that budget unless they insist on the seller paying off the balance. How is this tool different from other resources out there? On the other hand, the average living expense for a single person in San Francisco is $3507, including rent. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. But the sales tax is more than an entire percentage point higher in San Francisco, which really adds up when you ring up a bill and see how much more expensive it was than you were expecting. But we still can get to where we want to go faster. We believe that having a roof over your head in San Diego costs considerably less than San Francisco. You also agree to our, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Walkability and public transit scores were obtained from, Monthly bus pass costs were obtained from the individual websites of the public transit system for each city. Last but not least, how are you going to pay for all the above? Pre-qualified offers are not binding. According to the latest BLS data, consumers average over $7,000 per year on food expenses. Walkability and public transit scores were obtained from, Monthly bus pass costs were obtained from the individual websites of the public transit system for each city. Cost of Living Comparison between San Francisco, CA vs San Diego, CA So, we want to share with you the great qualities of San Diego and why the story that San Francisco is better just barks at the moon. In short, both cities were shaped by Latino culture and as such, are always bustling with life and delicious dishes. So how do we make money? Just shy of a million and a half dollars for an AVERAGE home?! Full cost of living comparison of San Francisco, California vs San Diego, California. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Message and data rates may apply. The median rent in San Francisco is$1895, and most people in San Francisco rent. San Diego has a sales tax of 7.75%, and San Francisco sales tax is 8.5%. Rent is just as rough. Before you get the keys to your new home, you'll have to pay closing costs. San Francisco's high cost of living, which is more than 84% higher than the national average, starts with sky-high housing prices. And while our site doesnt feature every company or financial product available on the market, were proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward and free. Utilities tend to cost 21.92% higher. Looks like this move could have a negative net change in disposable income. WATCH RELATED: Searching for the lowest gas prices in San Diego (February 2022). The Bay Area is full of medical campuses, and is home to the well known cradle of tech, Silicon Valley, where youll find giants such as Google, Apple, Facebook and many more. BEFORE MAKING ANY OTHER DECISION, YOU SHOULD PERSONALLY INVESTIGATE THE FACTS (e.g. Places like Normal Heights or Linda Vista have houses that are roughly half the price of something that you would find in San Francisco. Childcare can get extremely expensive no matter where you live. Demographics data (including population, age, ethnicity, education and gender breakdown) were compiled from the, Quality of life data (gyms, bars and beauty salons per 1,000 residents) were collected from the Yellow Pages. Scott Taylor is a licensed mortgage loan originator, real estate agent, and full time investor in San Diego. The average time for commuting in San Francisco is 44.56 minutes. To begin with, during the years coldest month, namely January, San Frans average temperatures range between high to mid-50s. Cost of Living in Hawaii vs. San Francisco - 2023 Peter Kay 2023-04-27T04:04:07-10:00 What is Hawaii's Cost of Living vs. San Francisco? Learn More: 11 Reasons to move to San Diego. - Overall, San Francisco, California is 52.1% more expensive than San Diego, California - Median Home Cost is the biggest factor in the cost of living difference. NerdWallet excluded state and local tax data because tax rates vary by state and metropolitan area, and sometimes within metropolitan area as well. To get the best mortgage loan, know how much you can afford and shop like the bargain hunter you are. So, you dont have to go all over town. Do not sell or share my personal information. But the sales tax is more than an entire percentage point higher in San Francisco, which really adds up when you ring up a bill and see how much more expensive it was than you were expecting. Here's how to know how much you really need. San Fran is loved by Americans that like exploring their towns various establishments and enjoy a high-end lifestyle. Its theater scene is also better than ours, sad to say. San Diegos summers are a little hotter. and accompanying city life tool go one step further by offering information on schools, quality of life and demographics, giving users a one-stop shop to explore new cities. 2 in the U.S. for public transportation quality. And it adds up. and accompanying city life tool go one step further by offering information on schools, quality of life and demographics, giving users a one-stop shop to explore new cities. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Additionally, San Diego is well-known for its wonderful, sandy beaches that play a role in its climate throughout the year. Once you understand what they cover, they'll look less overwhelming. For others, it involves driving your car, and that means factoring in car repairs, gas, tolls and parking. The weather, traffic, time of year, day of week and if there are accidents, can all impact your commute time. With these multimillion dollar businesses, come high paying jobs that bring people flocking from around the country (and even the world) to work for them and live in San Francisco. More than 77% of San Diego has a commute time of less than 30 minutes to or from work every day, and around 55% of San Francisco has a less than 30 minutes commute, meaning almost half the city is spending more than a half hour in their car in the morning and evening, just to get to work. Related Article: San Francisco vs. Seattle. Rush-hour traffic is probably hectic in San Francisco on the Golden Gate Bridge, but rush hour isnt 24/7. We are convinced that San Diego stands up very well against San Francisco, thank you very much. Of course, San Francisco does have sports and cultural events, but we are not the small-town USA. How Much Down Payment Do You Need to Buy a Home. According to the latest BLS data, consumers average over $7,000 per year on food expenses. San Fran has a transit structure as well, namely San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). The expenses that factor into cost of living can include housing affordability, transportation expenses, food prices and entertainment costs. Private school data was obtained from the Department of Education, and average private tuition was compiled by averaging tuition across randomly selected schools in each city. Health related expenses are 29.1% more in San Francisco. You could eat out less, cut back on takeout and cook more often. San Diego Housing Options Homes For Sale Lowest Priced Homes