Side-by-side comparison

Seattle vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 2% more expensive than San Diego. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $4,511/mo in San Diego.

Rent in Seattle vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

Seattle is $93 (4%) higher than San Diego

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $35 (2%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $210 (8%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $331 (9%) higher than Seattle

Income & earnings in Seattle vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

Seattle is $19,863 (19%) higher than San Diego

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

Seattle is $17,589 (35%) higher than San Diego

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

Seattle is $21,171 (42%) higher than San Diego

Home values in Seattle vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

Seattle is $19,600 (2%) higher than San Diego

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

Seattle is $1,243 (22%) higher than San Diego

Energy in Seattle vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego is $58 (53%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

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

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego is $720 (38%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Seattle vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Seattle and San Diego are about the same

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle and San Diego are about the same

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

San Diego is 1.6% (31%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Seattle vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 13.3% higher than Seattle

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego is 0.8% (12%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Seattle is 1.4% (16%) higher than San Diego

Transportation in Seattle vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Seattle is 2.2 min (8%) higher than San Diego

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

San Diego is 15.8% (31%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

Seattle is 5.8% (264%) higher than San Diego

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

Seattle is $77 (2%) higher than San Diego

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $517 (8%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Family

$9,440

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $679 (7%) higher than Seattle

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and San Diego.

Is Seattle or San Diego more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 2%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $35 (2%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or San Diego?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Seattle and San Diego

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

Seattle 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.