City vs city
San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
- Rent is 7% lower in San Diego (median $2,313/mo vs $2,476/mo in San Francisco).
- Homes cost 54% less in San Diego ($907k vs $1.4M median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $163 more a month after taxes and rent in San Diego.
- Schools rate higher in San Francisco (4.6/10 vs 4.3/10).
- San Diego has less violent crime (3.8 vs 4.9 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- San Diego has milder winters (58°F vs 52°F average).
| San Diego | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,313/mo | $2,476/mo |
| Median home value | $907k | $1.39M |
| Median household income | $108k | $141k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $2,575 | $2,412 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| School rating | 4.3/10 | 4.6/10 |
| Violent crime | about the US rate | 1.4× the US rate |
| Summer average | 77°F | 70°F |
| Winter average | 58°F | 52°F |
| Sunny days a year | 266 | 259 |
| Walk score | 52 | 89 |
| Population | 1,389,526 | 830,235 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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