Side-by-side comparison

Atlanta vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Atlanta, Georgia and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 13% more expensive than Atlanta. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,980/mo in Atlanta.

Rent in Atlanta vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Atlanta · Studio

$1,591

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $554 (35%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · 1 bedroom

$1,653

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $675 (41%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · 2 bedroom

$1,830

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $1,051 (57%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · 3 bedroom

$2,205

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $1,647 (75%) higher than Atlanta

Income & earnings in Atlanta vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Atlanta · Household income

$91,490

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Diego is $10,795 (12%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Individual earnings

$56,269

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

Atlanta is $6,717 (14%) higher than San Diego

Atlanta · Per capita

$61,438

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

Atlanta is $11,547 (23%) higher than San Diego

Home values in Atlanta vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Atlanta · Average home value

$431,200

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $360,400 (84%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Annual property tax

$3,847

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Diego is $1,695 (44%) higher than Atlanta

Energy in Atlanta vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Atlanta · Monthly electricity

$163

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego is $4 (2%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Monthly gas

$42

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

San Diego is $8 (19%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Annual total

$2,460

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego is $144 (6%) higher than Atlanta

Healthcare in Atlanta vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Atlanta · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Atlanta and San Diego are about the same

Atlanta · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Atlanta and San Diego are about the same

Atlanta · Uninsured rate

9.7%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Atlanta is 2.9% (43%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Atlanta vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Atlanta · State income tax

5.5%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 7.8% (142%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · State sales tax

4.0%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego is 3.3% (81%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Combined sales tax

7.4%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego is 1.5% (20%) higher than Atlanta

Transportation in Atlanta vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Atlanta · Average commute

28.0 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Atlanta is 2.1 min (8%) higher than San Diego

Atlanta · Drive alone

58.9%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

San Diego is 8.7% (15%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Public transit

4.4%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

Atlanta is 2.2% (100%) higher than San Diego

Monthly cost estimates in Atlanta vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Atlanta · Single person

$3,980

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $531 (13%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Couple

$5,478

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $1,463 (27%) higher than Atlanta

Atlanta · Family

$7,989

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $2,130 (27%) higher than Atlanta

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Atlanta and San Diego.

Is Atlanta or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,980/mo in Atlanta, Georgia and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 13%.

What is the rent difference between Atlanta and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Atlanta, Georgia is $1,653/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $675 (41%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Atlanta or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Atlanta households earn approximately $91,490 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Atlanta and San Diego

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

Atlanta 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.