Side-by-side comparison

Philadelphia vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 33% more expensive than Philadelphia. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,382/mo in Philadelphia.

Rent in Philadelphia vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $773 (56%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $816 (54%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $1,079 (60%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $1,681 (77%) higher than Philadelphia

Income & earnings in Philadelphia vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Diego is $41,587 (69%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Diego is $7,074 (17%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

San Diego is $12,222 (32%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Philadelphia vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $559,200 (241%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Diego is $3,590 (184%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Philadelphia vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego is $24 (17%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

Philadelphia is $12 (24%) higher than San Diego

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

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

Healthcare in Philadelphia vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia and San Diego are about the same

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia and San Diego are about the same

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Philadelphia is 0.4% (6%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Philadelphia vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 10.2% (333%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

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

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego is 2.5% (40%) higher than Philadelphia

Transportation in Philadelphia vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Philadelphia is 6.1 min (24%) higher than San Diego

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

San Diego is 20.9% (45%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

Philadelphia is 15.7% (714%) higher than San Diego

Monthly cost estimates in Philadelphia vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $1,129 (33%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $2,381 (52%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $3,060 (43%) higher than Philadelphia

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Philadelphia and San Diego.

Is Philadelphia or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 33%.

What is the rent difference between Philadelphia and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is $1,512/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $816 (54%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Philadelphia or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Philadelphia and San Diego

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

Philadelphia 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.