Quick answer
Seattle is 53% cheaper than San Diego overall. A $100K salary in San Diego is equivalent to $47,000 in Seattle.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
San Diego vs Seattle Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Seattle is 53% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-7% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$47,000
San Diego vs Seattle: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,250/mo
$2,100/mo
-7%
2BR median rent
$3,000/mo
$2,750/mo
-8%
Median home price
$820K
$780K
-5%
Avg monthly groceries
$420
$430
+2%
Avg monthly utilities
$130
$130
+0%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
None
Seattle saves
Walk score
54/100
74/100
Seattle better
Transit score
41/100
59/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living as your current San Diego salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$28,000
$127,000
$80,000
$38,000
$170,000
$100,000
$47,000
$212,000
$120,000
$57,000
$255,000
$150,000
$71,000
$318,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: San Diego vs Seattle
Who Each City Is Best For
San Diego is best for
- ✓military families
- ✓biotech workers
- ✓beach lifestyle seekers
- ✓retirees
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
FAQs
Is San Diego or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Seattle is 53% cheaper than San Diego overall. Seattle 1BR rent ($2,100/mo) vs San Diego ($2,250/mo). Median home price: Seattle $780K vs San Diego $820K.
How much salary do I need in Seattle to match $100K in San Diego?
$47,000 in Seattle is equivalent to $100,000 in San Diego based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-7% difference) and state taxes (San Diego: Up to 13.3% vs Seattle: None).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and Seattle?
1BR: San Diego $2,250/mo vs Seattle $2,100/mo (-7%). 2BR: San Diego $3,000/mo vs Seattle $2,750/mo (-8%).
Does San Diego or Seattle have lower taxes?
San Diego (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$13,300.