Living in San Diego, California

Are you looking to move to the "Golden State?" Look no further than the beautiful city of San Diego, California. Universities, tourist attractions and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean are just a few reasons why San Diego is a fantastic city. Not only is San Diego the second largest city in California, it also has many attractions for both residents and tourists. The San Diego Zoo, famous for its giant pandas, is one of the most popular attractions in Southern California. The year-round sunshine only adds to San Diego’s appeal. “America’s Finest City” is truly a fantastic place to work and live.

San Diego Cost of Living Statistics

If San Diego is truly “America’s Finest City,” how much will it cost to live there? The Cost of Living in San Diego is 45 percent above the national average. The greatest contributor to this difference in the cost of living is the cost of housing, which is 125 percent greater than the national average. This may be due to the greater number of houses that are either located on the water or have ocean views. Not only is the cost of housing high, but other expenses are high as well. Utilities, transportation, health care and groceries are all higher than the national average. Overall, the cost of living in San Diego is pricey, but how does it compare to where you live? Use PayScale’s Cost of Living Calculator to compare the cost of living in your city to the cost of living in San Diego.

Salaries in San Diego

Do salaries make up for San Diego's high cost of living? When comparing Median Salaries by Job, you can see that software engineers, lawyers and researchers in biotechnology are among the highest paid people in San Diego. With median salaries over $78,000, these professions have great earning potential. Because there are three major universities in San Diego, many recent graduates are looking for entry-level work. Measuring Salaries in San Diego by Years of Experience shows that those with less than one year of experience earn median salaries of $45,736. For those with over twenty years of experience, median salaries are $83,667. This increase in salaries over time indicates a positive outlook; if you are looking for a city with long term career potential, San Diego may be the place for you.