Cost of Living in San Diego County, California
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How San Diego County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
San Diego County ranks #3,124 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 1%)
Sourced county brief
San Diego County Median Home Value Reaches $854,700 Snapshot
The median home value in San Diego County was estimated at $854,700, which is $250,588 higher than the California unweighted county mean of $604,112. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $2,535. For renter-occupied units, the median gross rent was $2,246, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $1,691. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 33.9%, which is 2.2 percentage points above the California unweighted county mean of 31.7%. The median income for renter households in the county was recorded at $78,016. These data points provide a descriptive view of housing costs in the region and are not intended as financial guidance. The figures represent separate demographic cohorts based on housing tenure. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: San Diego County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 33.9% of renter household income in San Diego County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $2,246 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $2,535. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $89,840 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The California unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,691 per month. San Diego County's $2,246 median is 32.9% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in San Diego County
Rent Burden
25.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,480
per month
Owner Cost Burden
28.6%
of gross income
The median home in San Diego County may be a stretch
Median home value is $854,700. Estimated monthly cost: $6,823 vs. your max of $2,480.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in San Diego County, California?
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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