Home › Compare › Salt Lake City, UT vs San Diego, CA

Cost of Living: Salt Lake City, UT vs San Diego, CA

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

25.7% San Diego, CA is more expensive overall
40.0% 40.0% more expensive housing
10.2% 10.2% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 40.0% more
Salt Lake City
120
San Diego
168
🛒 Groceries 10.2% more
Salt Lake City
98
San Diego
108
🚗 Transportation 18.0% more
Salt Lake City
100
San Diego
118
🏥 Healthcare 16.7% more
Salt Lake City
96
San Diego
112
⚡ Utilities 18.2% more
Salt Lake City
88
San Diego
104

Detailed Breakdown

Category Salt Lake City, UT San Diego, CA Difference
Overall Cost Index10513225.7% more
Housing12016840.0% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,350$2,30070.4% more
Median Home Price$475,000$820,00072.6% more
Groceries9810810.2% more
Transportation10011818.0% more
Healthcare9611216.7% more
Utilities8810418.2% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Salt Lake City, UT San Diego, CA
State Income Tax4.65%13.30% (top)
State Sales Tax6.10%7.25%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.52%0.71%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Salt Lake City, UT
$73,000
Median household income
San Diego, CA
$89,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: San Diego costs more but median income is only slightly higher. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in San Diego to maintain your Salt Lake City lifestyle.

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: Salt Lake City (105) vs San Diego (132). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City2.9%
San Diego4.0%
Job Growth (YoY)
Salt Lake City3.7%
San Diego2.9%
Top Industries
Salt Lake CityTech, Finance, Outdoor Rec
San DiegoDefense, Biotech, Tourism

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Salt Lake City22 min
San Diego25 min
Walk Score
Salt Lake City57
San Diego51
Air Quality (AQI)
Salt Lake City55
San Diego45
Avg Temperature
Salt Lake City52°F
San Diego64°F
Population
Salt Lake City204,657
San Diego1,381,611

Moving from Salt Lake City to San Diego?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers. Compare prices and save up to 40% on your move.

Get My Free Moving Estimate →
✓ 500+ vetted movers ✓ Free quotes in 24hrs ✓ No obligation

Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Salt Lake City and San Diego → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in San Diego →

Compare Other Cities

Salt Lake City vs Austin → Salt Lake City vs Denver → Salt Lake City vs Nashville → San Diego vs Raleigh → San Diego vs Portland → San Diego vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Salt Lake City or San Diego cheaper to live in?+
Salt Lake City is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 40.0%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Salt Lake City vs San Diego?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,350/month in Salt Lake City and $2,300/month in San Diego — a difference of about $950 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Salt Lake City or San Diego?+
Utah has a state income tax of 4.65% and sales tax of 6.10%. California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Salt Lake City to San Diego?+
Median household income in Salt Lake City is $73,000 compared to $89,000 in San Diego. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Salt Lake City vs San Diego?+
The median home price in Salt Lake City is $475,000 versus $820,000 in San Diego — a difference of $345,000. Property tax rates also differ: Utah averages 0.52% while California averages 0.71%.