Living in San Diego, CA
Major city in California
San Diego is a major city in California, home to about 1.4 million people, with 3.1 million living within 31 mi. Day to day, much of daily life is walkable. Life moves at a fast pace, and homes are mostly apartments.
In short: Arguably the best climate in the country, with beaches and a relaxed pace. Very expensive housing.
Is San Diego a good place to live? Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Strong healthcare: 13 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
- Mild summers: highs around 79°F
- Easy flying: SAN is 6 mi away
- Highly educated: 50% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3 research universities are within 31 mi
👎 Cons
- Pricey housing: a typical 3-bedroom home is about $1.00M, and rent is $4,000 a month
- Few dog parks: 35 within 9 mi
- Fewer family amenities than most places
- Higher taxes: about $3,279 state income tax per resident, 0.67% property tax
Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how San Diego ranks against your own priorities.
Key facts
Living in San Diego: common questions
What is the cost of living in San Diego?
A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $1.00M, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $4,000 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are above the US average (index 112, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in San Diego?
California collects about $3,279 in state income tax per resident, and homeowners here pay about 0.67% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is San Diego safe?
Violent crime is close to the national rate (1.0× in FBI 2019 data).
What is the weather like in San Diego?
San Diego is warm all year: winter days average around 67°F and summer days around 79°F.
Does San Diego get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is moderate, mainly from earthquakes and flooding: 11 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 0.36 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to San Diego?
The nearest major airport is SAN, about 6 mi away.
How San Diego scores
Each bar compares San Diego with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).
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Is San Diego right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.