Moving to San Diego? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

San Diego, known as ‘America’s Finest City’, sits on the North Pacific Ocean in Southern California. It has a warm climate and is known to be the home of some of the best beaches in the world. Known for its art, culture and nightlife, the state has a generally young population with a lot on offer for young professionals in particular.

If you are considering moving to San Diego, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving.

Quick San Diego Facts:

Population: 1,381 million (2022). The San Diego metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of around 3.345 million.
Official Language: English (de facto) with many other languages being spoken, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Tagalog, Arabic, Persian and German
Median Income: $45,674 USD (2022)
Jackrabbits: Just so you know, it’s illegal to shoot a jackrabbit from the back of a streetcar.
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of 2024, £1 = $1.30, €1 = $1.09, $1 CAD = $0.73, $1 AUD = $0.67

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to San Diego

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from some of the largest US and international cities and shipping it to San Diego:

Origin City	20FT	40FT
Beijing	$2,200 - $2,700	$3,500 - $4,000
Berlin	$4,000 - $4,500	$6,300 - $6,800
Chongqing	$2,200 - $2,700	$3,500 - $4,000
Chicago	$1,500 - $1,800	$2,500 - $2,800
Delhi	$2,400 - $2,900	$3,800 - $4,300
Dubai	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,400 - $5,900
Houston	$1,600 - $1,900	$2,600 - $2,900
London	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,600 - $6,100
Los Angeles	$450 - $650	$750 - $950
Madrid	$3,700 - $4,200	$5,900 - $6,400
New York City	$1,600 - $1,900	$2,600 - $2,900
Paris	$3,900 - $4,400	$6,200 - $6,700
Phoenix	$1,300 - $1,600	$2,200 - $2,500
Rome	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,000 - $6,500
Shanghai	$2,200 - $2,700	$3,600 - $4,100
Sydney	$2,600 - $3,100	$4,000 - $4,500
Toronto	$1,700 - $2,000	$2,800 - $3,100
Vancouver	$1,500 - $1,800	$2,500 - $2,800
Vienna	$4,100 - $4,600	$6,500 - $7,000

All figures are in USD;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (July 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, iContainers, or SeaRates;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

You could also save money by comparing movers using the quote form below:

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2. San Diego Housing Costs

Property in San Diego is far more affordable than in many other cities around the globe.

Monthly Rental Prices in San Diego:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $2,700+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $2,100+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $4,600+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $3,800+

San Diego Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $9,900+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $8,800+

San Diego Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in San Diego compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 10.8% cheaper
New York 23.7% more expensive
Los Angeles is 4% cheaper
Toronto is 56.2% cheaper
Sydney is 35.2% cheaper
Paris is 73.2% cheaper
Dubai is 59.4% cheaper

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You will probably have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following sites to find your perfect room or flatmate: Spareroom and Trulia.
Different Areas – Different Prices: There’s a neighbourhood for everyone in San Diego. The housing in the city consists mainly of condos but the further you go out of the city, the more likely you are to find detached housing, either ranch style or Spanish style. There are neighbourhoods for surfers, professionals, students, families, outdoorsy people and arty people, to name but a few. Families would enjoy Coronado, University City and Carmel. La Jolla is the place to live if mansions are your choice of abode. Via Cueste Verde is another upmarket suburb with some architectural gems. If you like to live near where everything happens, then try Little Italy, with its many apartments and condos. It’s a great area for walking, and dogs are very welcome. If you love history, then have a look at Mission Hills with its historic buildings and ghosts. If you are a shopaholic then consider living in or near Mission Valley. Allied Gardens, Lemon Grove and La Mesa are areas which are being revitalised and more affordable.

3. San Diego Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

San Diego is one of the food capitals of the United States. It is renowned for its enormous selection of restaurants, from burger joints to fine dining. It also has excellent local fresh produce which is used by restaurants and residents alike to produce good quality food.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $20.00
Takeout Coffee: $5.20
Bottle of Coke: $2.60
1L of Milk: $1.10
Loaf of Bread: $3.70
12 Eggs: $5.40
1kg Chicken: $16.00
1kg Beef: $17.00
1kg Apples: $4.60
1kg White Rice: $4.60

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 1.9% cheaper and groceries are 39% cheaper than San Diego.
New York restaurants are 17% more expensive and groceries are 20.8% more expensive than San Diego.
Los Angeles restaurants are 8.2% more expensive and groceries are 3% cheaper than San Diego.
Toronto restaurants are 10.6% cheaper and groceries are 15.7% cheaper than San Diego.
Sydney restaurants are 9% cheaper and groceries are 1.3% cheaper than San Diego.
Paris restaurants are 14.5% cheaper and groceries are 3.5% cheaper than San Diego.
Dubai restaurants are 16.5% cheaper and groceries are 61.7% cheaper than San Diego.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: San Diego has a large number of independently owned grocery stores as well as the usual supermarket chains. There are also lots of farmers’ markets which sell excellent local produce and shops which sell health foods and organic foods. Popular supermarkets are Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, Pancho Villa Farmer’s Market, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market.
Find Cheap Eats: With a little bit of effort you can find places which offer excellent food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor, San Diego Eater, Four Square and 10Best.

4. San Diego Alcohol Costs

San Diego is well known for its selection of bars and restaurants. You can choose from cosy little bars in downtown San Diego to cocktail lounges in upmarket suburbs.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $7.75
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $8.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $3.30
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $3.10
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $12.00

How To Drink For Less in San Diego:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Eating out and going for drinks is part of being a San Diegian. Explore and enjoy what’s on offer. Have a look at the following sites to see which venue suits you – Four Square, Sandiegoreader, Thrillist, MrandMrsadventure and King of Happy Hour.

5. San Diego Transportation Fares

The public transport system in San Diego is extensive and efficient, making getting from A to B easy. San Diego has the famous San Diego Trolley and an excellent bus service run by SDMTS.

Here are some example ticket costs.

Adult single – $2.50
One-day ticket – $5.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $75.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a 14-day pass for $43
Buy a 4-day pass and get unlimited travel for $15
Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in San Diego

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

San Diego enjoys one of the world’s most enviable climates. August is its hottest month, with an average high of 23°C. The coldest month is January, when the average temperature is 14°C. February is the wettest month with an average of 53mm of rain.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $60
Summer Dress: $50
Running Shoes (Trainers): $95
Business Shoes: $110
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $135
Deodorant: $4.50
Shampoo: $5.60
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $3.50
Gym Membership: $50 per month
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $15.29

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in San Diego

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in San Diego and, even though the traffic can be heavy during rush hour, most areas in the city can be reached within 20 minutes by using the freeways.

If you’re moving to San Diego from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in San Diego:

Volkswagen Golf: $26,000+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $1.44
Other Fees (if any): the average cost of state and local taxes, license, title and registration fees is $665 per annum

Source: Expatistan, AAA Study

Ways To Save Money on Driving in San Diego:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Car Pool World and Zipcar.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in San Diego

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

Sales Tax in San Diego is 7.75% and is added to most goods and services. Generally, the price you see on an item does not include sales tax.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in San Diego at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in San Diego you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from San Diego

If you do make the move to San Diego, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

London: $320
New York: $119
Los Angeles: $56
Toronto: $120
Vancouver: $116
Dubai: $1,123
Sydney: $448
Melbourne: $559
Cape Town: $869
Hong Kong: $729

Other Tips on Moving to San Diego:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in San Diego but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to San Diego Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in San Diego.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in. Perhaps Active Lifestyle Nerds, San Diego Wine Fanatics or the Pacific Photographic Society appeals to you.
Attend Local Events: San Diego has a lot to offer everyone who visits or lives there. Have a look at Trip Advisor, Airbnb, San Diego and Travel US.

12. Moving to San Diego with a Family

San Diego has a lot to offer families. It’s a city full of young people, in fact, the majority of people living in the city are below 60.

New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at Baby Garten Studio and Yelp.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Coronado is at the top end of the market and is on the beach, close to excellent schools and prides itself on its tight-knit, friendly community. Carmel is more affordable and also has good schools and vibrant community life. University City has a variety of housing and is home to students and professors alike. It’s close to the motorways, shops and outdoor activities.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: San Diego is a fun place for kids to live. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – La Jolla Mom, Travel Mamas, The World is a Book and Smart Destinations.

13. Moving to San Diego for Work

People move to San Diego for a relaxed lifestyle and for work. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. The unemployment rate in San Diego is below the national average and the city is in a phase of growth. The US military is the biggest employer in San Diego, with its five naval bases. Other areas of major employers are health, hospitality, education and retail. Blue tech is the up-and-coming industry in the area.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
How to Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to San Diego, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster, Indeed, Snagajob and Career Builder. You may also want to google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to San Diego from Australia

There’s a large group of Australians in San Diego, probably attracted by the surf and the climate. If you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of San Diego with a city in Australia, then the closest would be Adelaide.
Join Expat Groups: There are a number of expat groups enabling you to meet fellow Aussies. Try Internations, Meetup and Facebook.

15. Moving to San Diego from Canada

There’s a large contingent of Canadians living in San Diego. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: If you compare the size of the population of San Diego with a city of the same size in Canada, you’d be looking at Ottawa.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Link up through sites such as Internations, Facebook, Canadians Abroad and Meetup.

16. Moving to San Diego from the United Kingdom

There’s a large group of Brits living and working in San Diego, enjoying the sand and the sun. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: If you look at the population size of San Diego and compare it with a city of the same size in the UK, you’d be looking at a city slightly larger than Birmingham.
Expat Groups: If you want to get together with others from the UK who are experiencing the sun and surf, then go to InterNations and Meetup.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to San Diego you can start by comparing moving quotes here.

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