Side-by-side comparison

Dallas vs San Diego

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

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 28% more expensive than Dallas. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,534/mo in Dallas.

Rent in Dallas vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Dallas · Studio

$1,531

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $614 (40%) higher than Dallas

Dallas · 1 bedroom

$1,606

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $722 (45%) higher than Dallas

Dallas · 2 bedroom

$1,884

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $997 (53%) higher than Dallas

Dallas · 3 bedroom

$2,361

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $1,491 (63%) higher than Dallas

Income & earnings in Dallas vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Dallas · Household income

$74,149

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Diego is $28,136 (38%) higher than Dallas

Dallas · Individual earnings

$43,051

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Diego is $6,501 (15%) higher than Dallas

Dallas · Per capita

$41,272

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

San Diego is $8,619 (21%) higher than Dallas

Home values in Dallas vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Dallas · Average home value

$277,900

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $513,700 (185%) higher than Dallas

Dallas · Annual property tax

$4,668

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Diego is $874 (19%) higher than Dallas

Energy in Dallas vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Dallas · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

Dallas and San Diego are about the same

Dallas · Monthly gas

$32

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

San Diego is $18 (56%) higher than Dallas

Dallas · Annual total

$2,388

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego is $216 (9%) higher than Dallas

Healthcare in Dallas vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Dallas · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Dallas and San Diego are about the same

Dallas · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Dallas and San Diego are about the same

Dallas · Uninsured rate

21.6%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Dallas is 14.8% (218%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Dallas vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Dallas · State income tax

0.0%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 13.3% higher than Dallas

Dallas · State sales tax

6.3%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego is 1.0% (16%) higher than Dallas

Dallas · Combined sales tax

8.2%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego is 0.7% (8%) higher than Dallas

Transportation in Dallas vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Dallas · Average commute

27.2 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Dallas is 1.3 min (5%) higher than San Diego

Dallas · Drive alone

70.4%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

Dallas is 2.8% (4%) higher than San Diego

Dallas · Public transit

1.6%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

San Diego is 0.6% (38%) higher than Dallas

Monthly cost estimates in Dallas vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Dallas · Single person

$3,534

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $977 (28%) higher than Dallas

Dallas · Couple

$4,909

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $2,032 (41%) higher than Dallas

Dallas · Family

$7,528

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $2,591 (34%) higher than Dallas

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Dallas and San Diego.

Is Dallas or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,534/mo in Dallas, Texas and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 28%.

What is the rent difference between Dallas and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Dallas, 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, Dallas or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Dallas households earn approximately $74,149 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Dallas and San Diego

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

Dallas profile San Diego profile Compare different areas

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.