Side-by-side comparison

San Diego vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for San Diego, California and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 18% more expensive than Raleigh. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,827/mo in Raleigh.

Rent in San Diego vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

San Diego is $612 (40%) higher than Raleigh

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

San Diego is $736 (46%) higher than Raleigh

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

San Diego is $1,118 (63%) higher than Raleigh

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

San Diego is $1,660 (76%) higher than Raleigh

Income & earnings in San Diego vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

San Diego is $522 (1%) higher than Raleigh

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

Raleigh is $5,160 (10%) higher than San Diego

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

Raleigh is $3,058 (6%) higher than San Diego

Home values in San Diego vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

San Diego is $368,800 (87%) higher than Raleigh

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

San Diego is $2,519 (83%) higher than Raleigh

Energy in San Diego vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

San Diego is $20 (14%) higher than Raleigh

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

San Diego is $10 (25%) higher than Raleigh

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

San Diego is $360 (16%) higher than Raleigh

Healthcare in San Diego vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

San Diego and Raleigh are about the same

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego and Raleigh are about the same

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Raleigh is 1.4% (21%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in San Diego vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

San Diego is 8.8% (196%) higher than Raleigh

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

San Diego is 2.5% (53%) higher than Raleigh

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

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

Transportation in San Diego vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

San Diego is 0.6 min (2%) higher than Raleigh

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

San Diego is 3.2% (5%) higher than Raleigh

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

San Diego is 1.5% (214%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in San Diego vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

San Diego is $684 (18%) higher than Raleigh

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

San Diego is $1,415 (26%) higher than Raleigh

San Diego · Family

$10,119

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

San Diego is $2,032 (25%) higher than Raleigh

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing San Diego and Raleigh.

Is San Diego or Raleigh more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,511/mo in San Diego, California and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 18%.

What is the rent difference between San Diego and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in San Diego, California is $2,328/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. San Diego is approximately $736 (46%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, San Diego or Raleigh?

San Diego has the higher average household income. San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on San Diego and Raleigh

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

San Diego profile Raleigh 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.