San Diego is sunny, stunning, and… not cheap. But just how expensive is it? From rent and groceries to gas and tacos, here’s the real breakdown of what it costs to live here—and whether it’s worth it.
🏠 Housing Costs
- 1-bedroom apartment (in the city): $2,300–$3,000/month
- 1-bedroom (outside city center): $1,800–$2,400/month
- Studio apartment: ~$2,000/month
- Buying a home: Median price is over $900,000 in many neighborhoods
Bottom line: Rent is the biggest expense. Unless you have roommates, a partner, or a golden landlord, it’s a huge chunk of your monthly cost.
🛒 Groceries & Essentials
- Gallon of milk: ~$5
- Bread: ~$4
- Eggs: ~$3–6
- Produce and basics are slightly higher than the national average
- Farmer’s markets can be more affordable and fresher
🚗 Gas & Transportation
- Gas: $4.50–$6.00/gallon depending on area
- Public transit is limited unless you’re near the trolley
- Uber, parking, and commuting costs add up fast
Driving is the norm—but it’s not cheap.
🍽 Eating Out
- Fast casual: $12–18 per person
- Sit-down meals: $25–40+ per person
- Tacos: $3–5 each (you’ll want at least 3)
- Coffee: $5–7 minimum for anything aesthetic
San Diego has amazing food—but it comes with a price tag.
🧾 Utilities & Taxes
- Sales tax: ~7.75%
- State income tax: Up to 13.3%
- Utilities: ~$150–300/month depending on your lifestyle
- Water bills tend to be higher due to drought + import costs
✅ So… Is It Worth It?
It’s expensive—definitely.
But people stay for the lifestyle: the weather, the food, the people, the beach.
If you’re smart about budgeting, split housing, and avoid going broke at cute cafés every day—you’ll survive. And maybe even love it.
🔜 PS: Moushi Launches August
Our app helps you find budget-friendly eats, hidden gems, and local favorites—so you don’t waste money figuring it out the hard way.
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