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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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Top Routes

  • NYC → Austin
  • LA → Phoenix
  • SF → Denver
  • Chicago → Dallas

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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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San DiegovsSan Francisco

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from San Diego to San Francisco will cost approximately $163,392 more on median home prices (22.7% higher). Monthly rent is $681 more expensive in San Francisco. Note that median income is 0.0% lower in San Francisco.

Housing
22.7% more
Rent
22.7% more
View San DiegoView San Francisco
San Francisco

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price$719,487
Monthly Rent$2,998
Median Income$82,922
Population1,394,907
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Destination

San Francisco, CA

Median Home Price
$882,879+22.7%
Monthly Rent
$3,679+22.7%
Median Income
$82,922+0.0%
Population864,816
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

San Diego

2015$1,782
2020$2,200
2025$2,998

San Francisco

2015$3,234
2020$2,856
2025$3,679

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in San Francisco.

San Diego

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$60,674

San Francisco

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$68,844
Costs

Key Insights

22.7%
Housing Cost
more expensive in San Francisco
$681
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
0.0%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

San Diego

Population1,394,907
Median Age34.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

San Francisco

Population864,816
Median Age38.3 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

San Diego

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

San Francisco

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in San Francisco or San Diego?

San Diego is 22.7% cheaper for housing than San Francisco. The median home price in San Diego is $719,487 compared to $882,879 in San Francisco.

What is the rent difference between San Diego and San Francisco?

Monthly rent in San Francisco averages $3,679, while San Diego averages $2,998. That's a difference of $681 per month, or $8,170 annually.

How do incomes compare between San Diego and San Francisco?

The median household income in San Francisco is $82,922, which is 0.0% lower than San Diego's median of $82,922.

Which city is safer: San Diego or San Francisco?

San Diego has a violent crime rate of 481 per 100k residents, while San Francisco has 481 per 100k. San Diego is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

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