Side-by-side comparison

Miami vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Miami, Florida and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 20% more expensive than Miami. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,762/mo in Miami.

Rent in Miami vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Miami · Studio

$1,711

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $434 (25%) higher than Miami

Miami · 1 bedroom

$1,898

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $430 (23%) higher than Miami

Miami · 2 bedroom

$2,329

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $552 (24%) higher than Miami

Miami · 3 bedroom

$3,008

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $844 (28%) higher than Miami

Income & earnings in Miami vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Miami · Household income

$68,694

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Diego is $33,591 (49%) higher than Miami

Miami · Individual earnings

$38,213

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Diego is $11,339 (30%) higher than Miami

Miami · Per capita

$37,858

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

San Diego is $12,033 (32%) higher than Miami

Home values in Miami vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Miami · Average home value

$425,400

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $366,200 (86%) higher than Miami

Miami · Annual property tax

$3,516

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Diego is $2,026 (58%) higher than Miami

Energy in Miami vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Miami · Monthly electricity

$176

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

Miami is $9 (5%) higher than San Diego

Miami · Monthly gas

$21

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

San Diego is $29 (138%) higher than Miami

Miami · Annual total

$2,364

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego is $240 (10%) higher than Miami

Healthcare in Miami vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Miami · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Miami and San Diego are about the same

Miami · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Miami and San Diego are about the same

Miami · Uninsured rate

14.3%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Miami is 7.5% (110%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Miami vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Miami · State income tax

0.0%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 13.3% higher than Miami

Miami · State sales tax

6.0%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego is 1.3% (21%) higher than Miami

Miami · Combined sales tax

7.0%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego is 1.8% (26%) higher than Miami

Transportation in Miami vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Miami · Average commute

31.0 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Miami is 5.1 min (20%) higher than San Diego

Miami · Drive alone

70.7%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

Miami is 3.1% (5%) higher than San Diego

Miami · Public transit

3.3%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

Miami is 1.1% (50%) higher than San Diego

Monthly cost estimates in Miami vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Miami · Single person

$3,762

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $749 (20%) higher than Miami

Miami · Couple

$5,291

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $1,650 (31%) higher than Miami

Miami · Family

$8,128

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $1,991 (24%) higher than Miami

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Miami and San Diego.

Is Miami or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,762/mo in Miami, Florida and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 20%.

What is the rent difference between Miami and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Miami, Florida is $1,898/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $430 (23%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Miami or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Miami households earn approximately $68,694 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Miami and San Diego

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

Miami 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.