Side-by-side comparison

Phoenix vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 22% more expensive than Phoenix. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,694/mo in Phoenix.

Rent in Phoenix vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Phoenix · Studio

$1,530

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $615 (40%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 1 bedroom

$1,679

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $649 (39%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 2 bedroom

$1,950

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $931 (48%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · 3 bedroom

$2,624

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $1,228 (47%) higher than Phoenix

Income & earnings in Phoenix vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Phoenix · Household income

$85,518

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Diego is $16,767 (20%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Individual earnings

$46,640

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Diego is $2,912 (6%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Per capita

$44,210

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

San Diego is $5,681 (13%) higher than Phoenix

Home values in Phoenix vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Phoenix · Average home value

$414,700

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $376,900 (91%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Annual property tax

$1,965

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Diego is $3,577 (182%) higher than Phoenix

Energy in Phoenix vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Phoenix · Monthly electricity

$150

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego is $17 (11%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Monthly gas

$39

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

San Diego is $11 (28%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Annual total

$2,268

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego is $336 (15%) higher than Phoenix

Healthcare in Phoenix vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Phoenix · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Phoenix and San Diego are about the same

Phoenix · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Phoenix and San Diego are about the same

Phoenix · Uninsured rate

10.7%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Phoenix is 3.9% (57%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Phoenix vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Phoenix · State income tax

2.5%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 10.8% (432%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · State sales tax

5.6%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego is 1.7% (29%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Combined sales tax

8.4%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego is 0.5% (6%) higher than Phoenix

Transportation in Phoenix vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Phoenix · Average commute

26.1 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Phoenix is 0.2 min (1%) higher than San Diego

Phoenix · Drive alone

66.6%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

San Diego is 1.0% (2%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Public transit

1.3%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

San Diego is 0.9% (69%) higher than Phoenix

Monthly cost estimates in Phoenix vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Phoenix · Single person

$3,694

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $817 (22%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Couple

$5,274

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $1,667 (32%) higher than Phoenix

Phoenix · Family

$8,098

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $2,021 (25%) higher than Phoenix

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Phoenix and San Diego.

Is Phoenix or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,694/mo in Phoenix, Arizona and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 22%.

What is the rent difference between Phoenix and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Phoenix, Arizona is $1,679/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $649 (39%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Phoenix or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Phoenix households earn approximately $85,518 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Phoenix and San Diego

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

Phoenix 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.