Salinas, CA vs San Diego, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, San Diego, CA is 2.6% more expensive than Salinas, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Salinas works out to about $77,000 in San Diego, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 23.1% more in San Diego. Goods are 2.7% higher and other services 0.7% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $2,967 a month in San Diego and $2,771 in Salinas, $2,352 a year more in San Diego (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $927,000 in San Diego and $841,000 in Salinas.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.8%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 23.1% higher in San Diego than in Salinas
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Salinas, CA
- San Diego, CA
All items Salinas, CA: 109.0 San Diego, CA: 111.9
Goods Salinas, CA: 105.2 San Diego, CA: 108.0
Housing (rents) Salinas, CA: 145.7 San Diego, CA: 179.3
Utilities Salinas, CA: 154.2 San Diego, CA: 174.2
Other services Salinas, CA: 100.3 San Diego, CA: 99.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salinas, CA | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 109.0 | 111.9 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 108.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 145.7 | 179.3 |
| Utilities | 154.2 | 174.2 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 99.6 |
| Category | Salinas | San Diego | San Diego vs Salinas |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 109.0 | 111.9 | +2.6% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 108.0 | +2.7% |
| Housing (rents) | 145.7 | 179.3 | +23.1% |
| Utilities | 154.2 | 174.2 | +13.0% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 99.6 | −0.7% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,771 | $2,967 | +7.1% |
| Typical home value | $841,000 | $927,000 | +10.2% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Salinas | $75,000 | $77,000 | +2.6% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Salinas and San Diego has narrowed since 2008: 9.1 points then, 2.8 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Salinas, CA
- San Diego, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salinas, CA | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 104.6 | 113.7 |
| 2009 | 107.7 | 114.6 |
| 2010 | 106.8 | 112.8 |
| 2011 | 109.4 | 114.1 |
| 2012 | 110.1 | 112.9 |
| 2013 | 108.9 | 111.7 |
| 2014 | 106.6 | 110.9 |
| 2015 | 106.0 | 112.3 |
| 2016 | 104.8 | 113.6 |
| 2017 | 107.8 | 112.3 |
| 2018 | 112.1 | 112.6 |
| 2019 | 111.5 | 113.5 |
| 2020 | 110.3 | 115.1 |
| 2021 | 109.3 | 115.1 |
| 2022 | 113.1 | 114.6 |
| 2023 | 113.2 | 110.7 |
| 2024 | 109.0 | 111.9 |
Goods
- Salinas, CA
- San Diego, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salinas, CA | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.1 | 109.8 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 109.1 |
| 2010 | 97.3 | 107.0 |
| 2011 | 99.0 | 108.1 |
| 2012 | 99.8 | 105.0 |
| 2013 | 98.2 | 100.6 |
| 2014 | 96.6 | 101.1 |
| 2015 | 94.9 | 103.7 |
| 2016 | 94.0 | 97.9 |
| 2017 | 99.8 | 99.2 |
| 2018 | 105.3 | 99.2 |
| 2019 | 104.8 | 104.0 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 106.8 |
| 2021 | 106.9 | 107.2 |
| 2022 | 109.0 | 108.0 |
| 2023 | 104.9 | 102.2 |
| 2024 | 105.2 | 108.0 |
Housing (rents)
- Salinas, CA
- San Diego, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salinas, CA | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 158.2 | 179.4 |
| 2009 | 149.0 | 178.4 |
| 2010 | 159.4 | 180.8 |
| 2011 | 159.3 | 175.1 |
| 2012 | 163.3 | 173.2 |
| 2013 | 166.7 | 175.1 |
| 2014 | 151.0 | 182.6 |
| 2015 | 161.6 | 178.4 |
| 2016 | 155.0 | 179.5 |
| 2017 | 164.9 | 184.3 |
| 2018 | 164.4 | 186.1 |
| 2019 | 168.6 | 185.2 |
| 2020 | 164.6 | 184.7 |
| 2021 | 159.5 | 190.0 |
| 2022 | 159.5 | 183.9 |
| 2023 | 166.6 | 185.8 |
| 2024 | 145.7 | 179.3 |
Utilities
- Salinas, CA
- San Diego, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salinas, CA | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.7 | 124.0 |
| 2009 | 96.4 | 143.7 |
| 2010 | 110.4 | 138.4 |
| 2011 | 112.8 | 134.5 |
| 2012 | 116.1 | 142.1 |
| 2013 | 115.3 | 147.1 |
| 2014 | 121.2 | 142.7 |
| 2015 | 121.3 | 144.9 |
| 2016 | 115.5 | 150.2 |
| 2017 | 110.4 | 152.3 |
| 2018 | 120.2 | 156.0 |
| 2019 | 128.6 | 157.2 |
| 2020 | 130.6 | 163.4 |
| 2021 | 140.8 | 166.3 |
| 2022 | 144.7 | 166.2 |
| 2023 | 138.4 | 158.3 |
| 2024 | 154.2 | 174.2 |
Other services
- Salinas, CA
- San Diego, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Salinas, CA | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.7 | 100.7 |
| 2009 | 100.7 | 101.6 |
| 2010 | 98.8 | 99.9 |
| 2011 | 102.5 | 102.6 |
| 2012 | 102.4 | 103.1 |
| 2013 | 101.1 | 103.2 |
| 2014 | 101.0 | 101.0 |
| 2015 | 99.8 | 102.3 |
| 2016 | 98.9 | 108.1 |
| 2017 | 99.2 | 104.4 |
| 2018 | 103.7 | 104.5 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 103.4 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 103.2 |
| 2021 | 98.6 | 103.4 |
| 2022 | 103.9 | 103.0 |
| 2023 | 104.2 | 99.9 |
| 2024 | 100.3 | 99.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,967 in San Diego vs $2,771 in Salinas
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Salinas, CA
- San Diego, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Salinas, CA | San Diego, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,515 | $1,634 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,551 | $1,657 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,550 | $1,691 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,637 | $1,698 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,647 | $1,721 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,713 | $1,758 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,733 | $1,780 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,717 | $1,785 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,790 | $1,825 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,829 | $1,871 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,834 | $1,889 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,855 | $1,891 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,882 | $1,926 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,936 | $1,965 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,964 | $1,987 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,936 | $1,983 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,964 | $2,001 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $2,013 | $2,036 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $2,058 | $2,056 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $2,040 | $2,059 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $2,043 | $2,073 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $2,048 | $2,059 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $2,111 | $2,093 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $2,152 | $2,128 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,155 | $2,165 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,205 | $2,265 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,337 | $2,415 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,337 | $2,481 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,360 | $2,556 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,447 | $2,684 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,458 | $2,742 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,482 | $2,709 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,517 | $2,740 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,526 | $2,817 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,583 | $2,836 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,532 | $2,784 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,602 | $2,801 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,614 | $2,851 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,667 | $2,861 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,709 | $2,849 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,787 | $2,875 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,744 | $2,900 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,750 | $2,904 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,743 | $2,884 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,790 | $2,915 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,909 | $2,949 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,771 | $2,967 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $927,000 in San Diego vs $841,000 in Salinas
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Salinas, CA
- San Diego, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Salinas, CA | San Diego, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $430K | $464K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $439K | $472K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $448K | $480K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $464K | $493K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $478K | $505K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $482K | $509K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $487K | $514K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $499K | $526K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $512K | $537K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $519K | $546K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $526K | $555K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $535K | $568K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $545K | $577K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $553K | $583K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $558K | $587K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $567K | $589K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $573K | $589K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $578K | $592K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $581K | $593K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $587K | $600K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $597K | $612K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $606K | $619K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $618K | $628K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $649K | $661K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $679K | $694K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $718K | $739K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $740K | $762K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $755K | $778K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $797K | $842K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $830K | $895K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $811K | $874K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $793K | $847K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $781K | $833K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $795K | $852K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $815K | $887K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $825K | $906K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $828K | $921K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $843K | $944K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $847K | $945K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $849K | $945K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $846K | $942K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $836K | $929K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $831K | $920K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $832K | $923K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $831K | $925K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $834K | $924K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $841K | $927K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Salinas, CA
- Cost of living in San Diego, CA
- Reverse: moving from San Diego to Salinas
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.