How San Diego compares

Where San Diego falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Map of San Diego

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)	110.7	metro-area	#188 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)	102.2	metro-area	#167 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)	$6.30	metro-area	#188 of 200
Median household income	$96,974	metro-area	#13 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)	$46,264	metro-area	#33 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Median age	37.1 years	metro-area	#61 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)	42.1%	metro-area	#25 of 200
Foreign-born residents	22.5%	metro-area	#18 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied	54.5%	metro-area	#194 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Unemployment rate	6.34%	metro-area	#168 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)	+0.2%	metro-area	#169 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Median home price	$946,365	metro-area	#195 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)	9.8×	metro-area	#193 of 200
1-yr home appreciation	-1.1%	metro-area	#160 of 200
Price per square foot	$631	metro-area	#195 of 200
Typical home size (implied)	1,500 sqft
Median rent (monthly)	$2,951	metro-area	#192 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)	7,607
Median days on market	16	metro-area	#90 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)	13.5%	state	#169 of 200
Combined sales tax	8.82%	state	#150 of 200
State income tax (top rate)	13.30%
Capital gains tax	13.30%	state	#180 of 200
High earners	1% Mental Health Services surtax on income over $1M (13.3% top rate)
Social Security in retirement	Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate	0.72%	metro-area	#61 of 200
Median property tax paid	$5,214	metro-area	#180 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Life expectancy at birth	80.3 years	metro-area	#19 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)	$7,200	state	#139 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)	7.3%	metro-area	#78 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k	84	metro-area	#58 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)	$19,000	state	#178 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Annual registration	$300	state	#174 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)	0.65% of value (~$182/yr)	state	#115 of 200
Emissions testing	Required
Emissions detail	Smog check every 2 years in most counties
DMV & license offices	30
Avg commute to work	26 min	metro-area	#140 of 200
Commute by driving alone	67.6%	metro-area	#28 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min	37.3%	metro-area	#147 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Electricity	35.3¢/kWh	state	#181 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill	$317	state	#181 of 200
Gasoline	$4.85/gal	state	#182 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)	$72	state	#100 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)	$138	state	#159 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)	$83	state	#135 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Home insurance (annual)	$1,500	state	#51 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)	$2,400	state	#154 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Main natural hazards	Notable hazards: wildfire, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)	99.7 — Very High	metro-area	#196 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)	$750	state	#90 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)	$950	state	#182 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)	71	metro-area	#195 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)	1,000	metro-area	#78 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)	72%	state	#171 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)	2,200	metro-area	#51 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F	10	metro-area	#45 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F	1	metro-area	#105 of 200
Avg summer high (state)	84°F	metro-area	#37 of 200
Avg winter low	45°F	metro-area	#20 of 200
Annual precipitation	9.8"	metro-area	#10 of 200
Annual snowfall	0.0"	metro-area	#1 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)	68%	metro-area	#34 of 200
Plant hardiness zone	9b
Frost window	01-31 → 12-31

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)	500	state	#161 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)	2,330	state	#112 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Grocery stores	66	metro-area	#99 of 200
Parks	85
Hiking areas	39
Golf courses	39
Shooting ranges	13
Lakes	10

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)	5	state	#165 of 200
Permit detail	Very difficult; CEQA + local review, esp. SF/coastal

Major public and private employers in the San Diego, CA area.

Employer	Sector	Jobs
U.S. Navy	Government	Careers →
University of California San Diego	Education	Search →
Sharp HealthCare	Healthcare	Search →
County of San Diego	Government	Search →
Qualcomm	Tech	Careers →
Kaiser Permanente	Healthcare	Careers →

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

Occupation	Median pay
Marketing Managers	$169,420
Lawyers	$165,280
Financial Managers	$164,580
Dentists	$162,750
Human Resources Managers	$160,930
Pharmacists	$157,030
Software Developers	$152,600
Physician Assistants	$138,500
Registered Nurses	$132,750
Data Scientists	$127,300
Mechanical Engineers	$122,350
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers	$109,540
Dental Hygienists	$108,530
Construction Managers	$106,100
Physical Therapists	$105,480
Civil Engineers	$99,280
Elementary School Teachers	$94,320
Web Developers	$93,340
Accountants & Auditors	$89,120
Electricians	$72,680
Real Estate Sales Agents	$72,550
Graphic Designers	$66,240
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters	$64,100
Carpenters	$61,730
Welders, Cutters & Solderers	$59,060
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	$55,880
Medical Assistants	$46,850