Median rent is 12% lower in Seattle ($2,030/mo vs $2,313/mo). Buying is cheaper in San Diego, where the median home runs $906,700 versus $938,600. Households earn more in Seattle ($123,860 vs $108,077 a year). Taken together, San Diego is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 110.7 against 112.7 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Seattle, WA.
Cost of living verdict
San Diego is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 110.7 in San Diego vs 112.7 in Seattle (US national average = 100)
City A
San Diego, CA
City B
Seattle, WA
How much would you need to earn in Seattle, WA to maintain your standard of living from San Diego, CA?
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$76,348
You'd need $1,348 more (2% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
San Diego
California
Seattle
Washington
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Seattle at $2,030/mo compared to $2,313/mo in San Diego (12% gap). Median home values are within 3% of each other: $906,700 in San Diego and $938,600 in Seattle.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
San Diego
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Seattle
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Seattle has cleaner air on average: 52.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 59.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Seattle if you prioritize higher median household income ($123,860/yr).
Pick Seattle if you prioritize cheaper rent ($2,030/mo median).
Pick Seattle if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 52.0).
Is San Diego cheaper than Seattle?
San Diego is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 110.7 versus 112.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in San Diego.
How much is rent in San Diego vs Seattle?
Median rent is $2,313/mo in San Diego, CA and $2,030/mo in Seattle, WA. Seattle, WA has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — San Diego or Seattle?
Median household income is $108,077 in San Diego, CA and $123,860 in Seattle, WA. Seattle, WA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Seattle, WA has better air quality on average: 52.0 AQI versus 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — San Diego or Seattle?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Seattle to match my San Diego income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in San Diego, CA is equivalent to roughly $101,797 in Seattle, WA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
