Cost of Living: San Diego vs Seattle (2026)
San Diego has a 1% lower overall cost of living than Seattle as of Q1 2026. A one-bedroom apartment runs $2,400/mo in Seattle vs $2,600/mo in San Diego — a 8% difference. Seattle has no state income tax, giving residents more take-home pay than those in San Diego (9.3% rate).
- San Diego is 1% cheaper overall (COL index: 148 vs 150)
- 1BR rent: $2,400/mo in Seattle vs $2,600/mo — 8% savings
- Seattle has 0% state income tax — saves ~$3,300+/yr at a $75K salary
- Higher median household income: Seattle ($97,000/yr vs $88,000/yr)
- Median home price: $750,000 in Seattle vs $850,000 — 12% difference
| Category | San Diego California | Seattle Washington |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||
| Studio rent/mo | $2,100 | $1,900Best |
| 1BR rent/mo | $2,600 | $2,400Best |
| 2BR rent/mo | $3,500 | $3,300Best |
| Median home price | $850K | $750KBest |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 109 | 108Best |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $18Best | $18 |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $75 | $70Best |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $100Best | $100 |
| Gas price/gal | $4.40 | $4.20Best |
| Car insurance/mo | $165 | $160Best |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $130 | $120Best |
| Internet/mo | $65Best | $65 |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||
| Median household income/yr | $88K | $97KBest |
| State income tax% | 9.3% | 0.0%Best |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.8%Best | 10.3% |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||
| Movie ticket | $17.00Best | $17.00 |
| Gym membership/mo | $55Best | $60 |
| Beer at restaurant | $8.00Best | $8.00 |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 148Best | 150 |
| Walk score / 100 | 51 | 73Best |
Frequently asked questions
Is San Diego cheaper than Seattle?
Yes. San Diego is 1% cheaper than Seattle based on overall cost of living indices (148 vs 150, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in San Diego vs Seattle?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in San Diego is $2,600/month and in Seattle is $2,400/month. San Diego is more expensive by 8%.
How much do I need to earn in Seattle to match a $75,000 salary in San Diego?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $76,014/year in Seattle to match a $75,000 salary in San Diego. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — San Diego or Seattle?
Seattle has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 9.3%. Seattle has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from San Diego to Seattle?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
Want to add more cities or compare your own salary?
Use our interactive tool to compare up to 5 cities and see how much of your take-home goes to rent.