San Diego vs Seattle: cost of living compared
Seattle is 2% cheaper than San Diego overall. Seattle (WA) has no state income tax; CA tops out around 9.3%.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Overall, the cost of living is quite high in both San Diego and Seattle, significantly above the national average. San Diego is slightly more expensive overall, primarily driven by its much higher housing costs. While other categories show some variation, housing creates the biggest difference in the total financial picture when comparing these two major West Coast cities.
Housing
Housing costs present a substantial difference between these two metros. San Diego's median home prices are considerably higher than Seattle's, and a similar gap exists for median one-bedroom rents. Property taxes and insurance costs can also vary, but the initial purchase price and monthly rent are noticeably steeper in San Diego, reflecting its coastal California market and typical housing stock.
Taxes and everyday costs
Beyond housing, daily expenses show a mixed picture. A key difference is state income tax, which is significant in California but absent in Washington. Transportation costs are lower in San Diego, while Seattle residents face higher expenses in this category. Food costs are roughly similar, with Seattle being slightly higher. Healthcare expenses are comparable, but utilities are noticeably more expensive in San Diego.
Lifestyle trade-offs
San Diego offers a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, while Seattle is known for its temperate, often rainy weather. Commute times are generally shorter in San Diego. Both cities are major economic hubs with distinct urban characteristics. San Diego tends to have a more relaxed pace, while Seattle, a tech industry center, can feel more bustling, though both offer extensive outdoor recreation opportunities.
Bottom line
Moving between San Diego and Seattle means navigating a high cost of living in either location, but with different financial pressures. While Seattle offers a noticeable advantage in housing and the absence of state income tax, San Diego has lower transportation and utility costs. A household's budget will be most impacted by the significant difference in housing prices and the presence or absence of state income tax.
| Measure | San Diego, CA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 158 | 155 |
| Housing index | 214 | 192 |
| Transportation index | 109 | 123 |
| Food index | 110 | 112 |
| Healthcare index | 112 | 112 |
| Utilities index | 138 | 105 |
| Misc index | 115 | 118 |
| Median home price | $835,000 | $748,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $2,650/mo | $2,350/mo |
| Average commute | 28 min | 33 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Seattle home with the True Cost Calculator.