Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
Side-by-side comparison

Plano vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Plano, Texas and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 20% more expensive than Plano. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,765/mo in Plano.

Rent in Plano vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Plano · Studio
$1,531
San Diego · Studio
$2,145
San Diego is $614 (40%) higher than Plano
Plano · 1 bedroom
$1,606
San Diego · 1 bedroom
$2,328
San Diego is $722 (45%) higher than Plano
Plano · 2 bedroom
$1,884
San Diego · 2 bedroom
$2,881
San Diego is $997 (53%) higher than Plano
Plano · 3 bedroom
$2,361
San Diego · 3 bedroom
$3,852
San Diego is $1,491 (63%) higher than Plano

Income & earnings in Plano vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Plano · Household income
$117,588
San Diego · Household income
$102,285
Plano is $15,303 (15%) higher than San Diego
Plano · Individual earnings
$61,438
San Diego · Individual earnings
$49,552
Plano is $11,886 (24%) higher than San Diego
Plano · Per capita
$55,057
San Diego · Per capita
$49,891
Plano is $5,166 (10%) higher than San Diego

Home values in Plano vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Plano · Average home value
$447,600
San Diego · Average home value
$791,600
San Diego is $344,000 (77%) higher than Plano
Plano · Annual property tax
$7,432
San Diego · Annual property tax
$5,542
Plano is $1,890 (34%) higher than San Diego

Energy in Plano vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Plano · Monthly electricity
$167
San Diego · Monthly electricity
$167
Plano and San Diego are about the same
Plano · Monthly gas
$32
San Diego · Monthly gas
$50
San Diego is $18 (56%) higher than Plano
Plano · Annual total
$2,388
San Diego · Annual total
$2,604
San Diego is $216 (9%) higher than Plano

Healthcare in Plano vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Plano · Individual premium
$480
San Diego · Individual premium
$480
Plano and San Diego are about the same
Plano · Family premium
$1,350
San Diego · Family premium
$1,350
Plano and San Diego are about the same
Plano · Uninsured rate
9.9%
San Diego · Uninsured rate
6.8%
Plano is 3.1% (46%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Plano vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Plano · State income tax
0.0%
San Diego · State income tax
13.3%
San Diego is 13.3% higher than Plano
Plano · State sales tax
6.3%
San Diego · State sales tax
7.3%
San Diego is 1.0% (16%) higher than Plano
Plano · Combined sales tax
8.2%
San Diego · Combined sales tax
8.8%
San Diego is 0.7% (8%) higher than Plano

Transportation in Plano vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Plano · Average commute
28.1 min
San Diego · Average commute
25.9 min
Plano is 2.2 min (8%) higher than San Diego
Plano · Drive alone
64.7%
San Diego · Drive alone
67.6%
San Diego is 2.9% (4%) higher than Plano
Plano · Public transit
0.6%
San Diego · Public transit
2.2%
San Diego is 1.6% (267%) higher than Plano

Monthly cost estimates in Plano vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Plano · Single person
$3,765
San Diego · Single person
$4,511
San Diego is $746 (20%) higher than Plano
Plano · Couple
$5,550
San Diego · Couple
$6,941
San Diego is $1,391 (25%) higher than Plano
Plano · Family
$8,169
San Diego · Family
$10,119
San Diego is $1,950 (24%) higher than Plano

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Plano and San Diego.

Is Plano or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,765/mo in Plano, Texas and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 20%.

What is the rent difference between Plano and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Plano, Texas is $1,606/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $722 (45%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Plano or San Diego?

Plano has the higher average household income. Plano households earn approximately $117,588 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Plano and San Diego

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.