San Diego Cost of Living

People living in San Diego find themselves fortunate for getting the chance to enjoy the gleaming coastlines and enjoy year-round sunshine. San Diego is composed of people from different groups – veterans, retirees, professionals, and college students.

If you are currently planning to move to San Diego and start a life here, you should be curious about the San Diego cost of living. You should understand that this city is not just one of the most prominent cities in the country, it also has one of the highest costs of living. This article will tackle the different aspects that comprise the cost of living in the city.

How Much Should You Spend When Living in San Diego

There are several reasons why a lot of people want to settle in San Diego. However, the decision to settle in San Diego for good should be backed up with a thorough assessment as its cost of living isn’t that cheap.

Here is a breakdown of items so you will have a better understanding of the San Diego cost of living:

Housing Cost

One thing that you should first consider when planning to live in San Diego is the cost of its housing. Housing here is never cheap. As a matter of fact, those who are uninformed can have a dismaying experience after knowing the housing cost in San Diego. Overall, the cost of housing here is 124 percent higher than the average cost of the US.

The most covetable neighborhoods in San Diego have even higher home prices. The median sale prices in Del Mar, Coronado, and Rancho Santa Fe can vary from $1,500,000 to $2,250,000. However, you can explore the eastern portion of San Diego to look for more affordable housing. Ramona, La Mesa, and Santee are just 30 minutes away from downtown and the housing here is cheaper than $100,000 compared to the median price of the county-wide.

Rent Cost

Most of the people in San Diego are renting their homes. The average cost when renting an apartment in the city is $2,238 compared to the $1,463 national average rental cost. Little Italy, North City, and La Jolla are the priciest neighborhoods for those who are planning to rent homes, with rent costs that vary from $3,200 to $3,500 monthly.

Although the rent costs in San Diego are quite high, people can strategize their expenses by co-living with a roommate. This will help them save more. The average cost for a Bungalow in a shared house in San Diego is 27 percent cheaper as compared to renting a typical-size studio apartment.

Food Costs

You will surely love the distinct culinary scene in San Diego.

Trying a chile Rellenos or pasta dish in a restaurant will cost you $13. Of course, you do not have to dine out each time. If you are curious to try some of the famous restaurants in the area, you can expect to pay a high price in exchange for the excellent service. A meal that is good for two people in a middle-range restaurant can cost roughly $60.

There are plenty of supermarkets and lots of farmer’s markets in the neighborhood so you can plan for your meal. This can also help you reduce your food expenses. Just like other cities, the smartest way of trimming down your expenses is to dine at home and prepare the food yourself.

There are several small farms in the city which means that there are lots of local produce in the area and they all come in excellent quality. On average, the monthly expenses for groceries are around $291. This figure is quite lesser compared to the money spent on groceries in other large cities.

Utility Cost

One of the reasons why a lot of people are loving San Diego is its great weather. The warm Mediterranean weather of San Diego lessens the requirement for winter heating. However, you will need some air conditioning as the summer here is quite hot. The average utility bill per month here is roughly $138. This is a bit less compared to the utility costs of other big cities.

The city also hosts various internet providers. Hence, your bill may vary depending on your chosen provider.

Transportation Cost

Surely, you want to discover more about San Diego and experience the many activities in the area. However, you might be curious to know how much the transportation cost in San Diego is.

One of the great things about San Diego is the calmer freeways. Traffic here is good even during daytimes, although you can expect a little congestion around typical commute hours. Transportation cost here is a bit higher than other cities and it is 36.1 percent higher compared to the national average.

Drivers spend $3.24 for a regular unleaded per gallon. Parking will cost $2 per day or $70 per month.

In case you decide to take public transportation, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System offers trolley and bus services throughout San Diego County. The fare for the trolley and bus is the same. The one-way fare for physically-abled youths and adults is $2.50 while $1.25 for seniors and physically disabled individuals.

Healthcare Costs

It is normal for people to think about the healthcare cost, especially if they are planning to relocate. Healthcare is something you will have to think about when living in San Diego as this category costs higher compared to other cities.

Scheduling a doctor’s visit will cost around $125. Getting a dental check-up can cost roughly $107. You may also have to shell out a little more if your doctor prescribes you some medications.

Getting the average cost for healthcare for every individual in San Diego can be hard. Every person has unique health requirements and healthcare schedules can remarkably differ. Consequently, you must consider your common healthcare needs when budgeting. This should include your insurance coverage and medication.

Average Salary

The average salary per hour in San Diego is $28.96. This is 13 percent higher compared to the national average which is $25.73.

Some of the popular jobs in the city that have better rates are those in the industries of nuclear medicine technology, radiation technology, and computer network architecture. The average salary in San Diego cannot neutralize its expensive cost of living. Hence, if you want to live a comfortable life here, you should be ready to look for a job that offers a higher salary than the average rate. Consider looking for housing in the east. Or you can look for other ways to trim your budget.

Conclusion

Having to consider the essential elements when living in San Diego, you can say that San Diego's cost of living is relatively high. However, when you take into account the employment opportunities in the city as well as its average income, including entertainment and culture, you will find it more manageable to conquer your doubt to relocate to San Diego.

Overall, you need to condition yourself with the possible expenses in the city. You should be financially equipped if you want to enjoy your stay here. Remember that living in this city isn’t cheap. Your main objective is to get a job with a higher salary so you can have a comfortable life.