San Diego, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching San Diego.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in San Diego?
San Diego, CA has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 222 (well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $848,500 and median rent about $2,223, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $104,321. Typical commute is 25 minutes; summer highs average 75°F. Violent-offense rates run about 361.7 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 222U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $848,500U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $2,223U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $104,321U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 25 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 361.7per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 75°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how San Diego compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 1,404,452City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $104,321Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year33% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 222ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year122% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $848,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year180% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $2,223City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year65% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 25 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5318% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 361.7annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)38% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1882.5annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)39% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 75°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals12.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 51°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals17.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 9.8 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals70% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 325As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals21% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
San Diego grew 7.5% from 1,305,906 in 2010 to 1,404,452 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is San Diego expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, San Diego runs 122 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 222 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $848,500 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $2,223 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in San Diego?
Budget first around $2,223/month rent or $848,500 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $848,500
- Median rent $2,223/month
- Median household income $104,321
What is the job market like in San Diego?
Labor-market context for San Diego: unemployment 4.7% and median income $104,321. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $104,321
How long is the typical commute in San Diego?
Plan on roughly 25 minutes each way in San Diego. Walk Score estimates around 53 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 25 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 53/100
Is San Diego safer than similar U.S. cities?
San Diego's FBI-derived violent rate (~361.7/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 361.7 per 100k
- Property 1882.5 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in San Diego?
San Diego's climate profile: 75°F summer peaks, 51°F winter mornings, 9.8" annual rainfall, and 325 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 75°F
- Winter low 51°F
- 9.8 in rain · 325 sunny days
Which neighborhoods do relocators research in San Diego?
Gaslamp is the name relocators hear first; compare it with La Jolla and North Park once you know your job location.
- Gaslamp
- La Jolla
- North Park
About 1,404,452 people live in San Diego, CA. Median household income is roughly $104,321, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 222 — well above the national housing-cost baseline (100 ≈ U.S. average). Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $848,500 push many newcomers toward renting first.
If you only tour one corridor, make it Gaslamp; if you have a weekend, contrast it with La Jolla and the quieter edges near North Park. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare San Diego with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 325 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Plan on roughly 25 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 53. Unemployment recently ran near 4.7%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. Violent-offense rates around 361.7 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
Neighborhoods often researched
- Gaslamp
- La Jolla
- North Park
- Pacific Beach
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (San Diego city, 1600000US0666000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · San Diego County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00023188 SAN DIEGO LINDBERGH FLD) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10