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Side-by-side comparison

Salt Lake City vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Salt Lake City, Utah and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 29% more expensive than Salt Lake City. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,494/mo in Salt Lake City.

Rent in Salt Lake City vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Salt Lake City · Studio
$1,243
San Diego · Studio
$2,145
San Diego is $902 (73%) higher than Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City · 1 bedroom
$1,453
San Diego · 1 bedroom
$2,328
San Diego is $875 (60%) higher than Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City · 2 bedroom
$1,748
San Diego · 2 bedroom
$2,881
San Diego is $1,133 (65%) higher than Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City · 3 bedroom
$2,348
San Diego · 3 bedroom
$3,852
San Diego is $1,504 (64%) higher than Salt Lake City

Income & earnings in Salt Lake City vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Salt Lake City · Household income
$94,658
San Diego · Household income
$102,285
San Diego is $7,627 (8%) higher than Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City · Individual earnings
$46,252
San Diego · Individual earnings
$49,552
San Diego is $3,300 (7%) higher than Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City · Per capita
$43,393
San Diego · Per capita
$49,891
San Diego is $6,498 (15%) higher than Salt Lake City

Home values in Salt Lake City vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Salt Lake City · Average home value
$484,500
San Diego · Average home value
$791,600
San Diego is $307,100 (63%) higher than Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City · Annual property tax
$2,726
San Diego · Annual property tax
$5,542
San Diego is $2,816 (103%) higher than Salt Lake City

Energy in Salt Lake City vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Salt Lake City · Monthly electricity
$90
San Diego · Monthly electricity
$167
San Diego is $77 (86%) higher than Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City · Monthly gas
$50
San Diego · Monthly gas
$50
Salt Lake City and San Diego are about the same
Salt Lake City · Annual total
$1,680
San Diego · Annual total
$2,604
San Diego is $924 (55%) higher than Salt Lake City

Healthcare in Salt Lake City vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Salt Lake City · Individual premium
$480
San Diego · Individual premium
$480
Salt Lake City and San Diego are about the same
Salt Lake City · Family premium
$1,350
San Diego · Family premium
$1,350
Salt Lake City and San Diego are about the same
Salt Lake City · Uninsured rate
9.6%
San Diego · Uninsured rate
6.8%
Salt Lake City is 2.8% (41%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Salt Lake City vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Salt Lake City · State income tax
4.7%
San Diego · State income tax
13.3%
San Diego is 8.7% (186%) higher than Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City · State sales tax
6.1%
San Diego · State sales tax
7.3%
San Diego is 1.2% (19%) higher than Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City · Combined sales tax
7.2%
San Diego · Combined sales tax
8.8%
San Diego is 1.7% (23%) higher than Salt Lake City

Transportation in Salt Lake City vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Salt Lake City · Average commute
22.4 min
San Diego · Average commute
25.9 min
San Diego is 3.5 min (16%) higher than Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City · Drive alone
66.8%
San Diego · Drive alone
67.6%
San Diego is 0.8% (1%) higher than Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City · Public transit
2.3%
San Diego · Public transit
2.2%
Salt Lake City is 0.1% (5%) higher than San Diego

Monthly cost estimates in Salt Lake City vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Salt Lake City · Single person
$3,494
San Diego · Single person
$4,511
San Diego is $1,017 (29%) higher than Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City · Couple
$5,349
San Diego · Couple
$6,941
San Diego is $1,592 (30%) higher than Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City · Family
$8,084
San Diego · Family
$10,119
San Diego is $2,035 (25%) higher than Salt Lake City

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Salt Lake City and San Diego.

Is Salt Lake City or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,494/mo in Salt Lake City, Utah and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 29%.

What is the rent difference between Salt Lake City and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Salt Lake City, Utah is $1,453/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $875 (60%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Salt Lake City or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Salt Lake City households earn approximately $94,658 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Salt Lake City and San Diego

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

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.