Home › Compare › San Diego, CA vs Oklahoma City, OK

Cost of Living: San Diego, CA vs Oklahoma City, OK

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

33.3% Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper overall
54.8% 54.8% cheaper housing
13.9% 13.9% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 54.8% cheaper
San Diego
168
Oklahoma City
76
🛒 Groceries 13.9% cheaper
San Diego
108
Oklahoma City
93
🚗 Transportation 18.6% cheaper
San Diego
118
Oklahoma City
96
🏥 Healthcare 17.9% cheaper
San Diego
112
Oklahoma City
92
⚡ Utilities 3.8% cheaper
San Diego
104
Oklahoma City
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Diego, CA Oklahoma City, OK Difference
Overall Cost Index1328833.3% less
Housing1687654.8% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,300$95058.7% less
Median Home Price$820,000$210,00074.4% less
Groceries1089313.9% less
Transportation1189618.6% less
Healthcare1129217.9% less
Utilities1041003.8% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Diego, CA Oklahoma City, OK
State Income Tax13.30% (top)4.75%
State Sales Tax7.25%4.50%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%0.85%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Diego, CA
$89,000
Median household income
Oklahoma City, OK
$58,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Oklahoma City costs more but median income is lower. 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 Oklahoma City to maintain your San Diego lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Diego (132) vs Oklahoma City (88). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Diego4.0%
Oklahoma City3.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Diego2.9%
Oklahoma City2.4%
Top Industries
San DiegoDefense, Biotech, Tourism
Oklahoma CityEnergy, Aerospace, Agriculture

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Diego25 min
Oklahoma City22 min
Walk Score
San Diego51
Oklahoma City32
Air Quality (AQI)
San Diego45
Oklahoma City44
Avg Temperature
San Diego64°F
Oklahoma City60°F
Population
San Diego1,381,611
Oklahoma City681,054

Moving from San Diego to Oklahoma City?

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Planning Your Move?

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

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

Compare Other Cities

San Diego vs Austin → San Diego vs Denver → San Diego vs Nashville → Oklahoma City vs Raleigh → Oklahoma City vs Portland → Oklahoma City vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego or Oklahoma City cheaper to live in?+
Oklahoma City is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 54.8%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Diego vs Oklahoma City?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,300/month in San Diego and $950/month in Oklahoma City — a difference of about $1,350 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Diego or Oklahoma City?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. Oklahoma has a state income tax of 4.75% and sales tax of 4.50%. 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 San Diego to Oklahoma City?+
Median household income in San Diego is $89,000 compared to $58,000 in Oklahoma City. 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 San Diego vs Oklahoma City?+
The median home price in San Diego is $820,000 versus $210,000 in Oklahoma City — a difference of $610,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Oklahoma averages 0.85%.