San Diego may offer beautiful beaches, year-round sunshine, and a laid-back lifestyle, but it comes at a premium. With housing prices and living expenses continuing to climb, many are asking: How much do you really need to earn to live comfortably in San Diego?
Let’s break it down.
The Magic Number for Comfortable Living in San Diego
According to a recent GoBankingRates report featured by FOX 5, a single adult in San Diego needs to earn at least $76,710 per year — or about $6,392 per month — to live comfortably. This figure assumes a 50/30/20 budget, where:
- 50% is allocated to necessities (like housing, food, and transportation),
- 30% goes to discretionary spending, and
- 20% is for savings and debt repayment.
But that’s just to live “comfortably” — not extravagantly.
How San Diego Compares to Other California Cities
San Diego ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the state. Here’s how the annual income needed for comfortable living compares in other major California metro areas (for single adults):
- San Francisco: $84,026
- San Jose: $83,171
- San Diego: $76,710
- Los Angeles: $76,710
- Oakland: $75,106
- Sacramento: $70,307
- Fresno: $57,219
- Bakersfield: $57,053
This means San Diegans need to earn more than people living in places like Chicago, Denver, or Miami just to maintain a similar standard of living.
Renters: What’s the True Cost of Renting in San Diego?
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, if you want to rent a modest two-bedroom apartment in San Diego County without being rent-burdened, you need to earn at least $47.67 per hour — or about $99,154 annually.
That’s more than double California’s minimum wage of $16 per hour. And it assumes you’re spending no more than 30% of your income on housing — a rule of thumb for financial health.
Thinking of Buying a Home? You’ll Need This Much.
Want to put down roots in San Diego? It’s going to cost you.
Per a recent Zillow study reported by NBC San Diego, you now need to earn nearly $275,000 annually to afford a median-priced home in San Diego County, which currently costs over $850,000.
That assumes:
- A 10% down payment,
- Housing costs capped at 30% of income, and
- Favorable mortgage terms.
With the median household income in San Diego County around $96,964, only about 11% of residents make enough to qualify for a median-priced home.
Why It’s Getting Harder
The math doesn’t lie. While wages have risen modestly, the cost of housing — especially rent and home prices — has skyrocketed. San Diego continues to experience a housing supply shortage, high demand, and increased property values, making it harder for both renters and buyers to get ahead.
So, Can You Afford San Diego?
If you’re a single adult, you’ll likely need to make at least $76,000–$100,000+ annually to live comfortably here. For families or those looking to buy a home, the required income could climb to $275,000 or more.
While the lifestyle San Diego offers is undeniably appealing, residents and newcomers alike need to be financially prepared to keep up with the rising cost of paradise.
