City Comparison · 2026
San Diego vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in San Diego = $105k in Los Angeles
Metric
San Diego
Los Angeles
COL Index
✓1.67
1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,250/mo
$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,900/mo
$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
CA
CA
$100k Take-Home
$73,198
$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
26.8%
26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$46,198
$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | San Diego CA | Los Angeles CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
San Diego has a cost-of-living index of 1.67 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). San Diego is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in San Diego is $2,250/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs San Diego?
$100k in San Diego = $105k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is higher by 5.4%.
Which city has better after-tax income — San Diego or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,198 in CA (San Diego) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $46,198 in San Diego vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
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