San Diego, CA vs Salinas, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Salinas, CA is 2.5% less expensive than San Diego, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in San Diego works out to about $73,100 in Salinas, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 18.7% less in Salinas. Goods are 2.6% lower and other services 0.7% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $2,771 a month in Salinas and $2,967 in San Diego, $2,352 a year less in Salinas (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $841,000 in Salinas and $927,000 in San Diego.
- 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: 18.7% lower in Salinas than in San Diego
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- San Diego, CA
- Salinas, CA
All items San Diego, CA: 111.9 Salinas, CA: 109.0
Goods San Diego, CA: 108.0 Salinas, CA: 105.2
Housing (rents) San Diego, CA: 179.3 Salinas, CA: 145.7
Utilities San Diego, CA: 174.2 Salinas, CA: 154.2
Other services San Diego, CA: 99.6 Salinas, CA: 100.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Diego, CA | Salinas, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 111.9 | 109.0 |
| Goods | 108.0 | 105.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 179.3 | 145.7 |
| Utilities | 174.2 | 154.2 |
| Other services | 99.6 | 100.3 |
| Category | San Diego | Salinas | Salinas vs San Diego |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 111.9 | 109.0 | −2.5% |
| Goods | 108.0 | 105.2 | −2.6% |
| Housing (rents) | 179.3 | 145.7 | −18.7% |
| Utilities | 174.2 | 154.2 | −11.5% |
| Other services | 99.6 | 100.3 | +0.7% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,967 | $2,771 | −6.6% |
| Typical home value | $927,000 | $841,000 | −9.3% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in San Diego | $75,000 | $73,100 | −2.5% |
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 San Diego and Salinas has narrowed since 2008: 9.1 points then, 2.8 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- San Diego, CA
- Salinas, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Diego, CA | Salinas, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 113.7 | 104.6 |
| 2009 | 114.6 | 107.7 |
| 2010 | 112.8 | 106.8 |
| 2011 | 114.1 | 109.4 |
| 2012 | 112.9 | 110.1 |
| 2013 | 111.7 | 108.9 |
| 2014 | 110.9 | 106.6 |
| 2015 | 112.3 | 106.0 |
| 2016 | 113.6 | 104.8 |
| 2017 | 112.3 | 107.8 |
| 2018 | 112.6 | 112.1 |
| 2019 | 113.5 | 111.5 |
| 2020 | 115.1 | 110.3 |
| 2021 | 115.1 | 109.3 |
| 2022 | 114.6 | 113.1 |
| 2023 | 110.7 | 113.2 |
| 2024 | 111.9 | 109.0 |
Goods
- San Diego, CA
- Salinas, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Diego, CA | Salinas, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 109.8 | 95.1 |
| 2009 | 109.1 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 107.0 | 97.3 |
| 2011 | 108.1 | 99.0 |
| 2012 | 105.0 | 99.8 |
| 2013 | 100.6 | 98.2 |
| 2014 | 101.1 | 96.6 |
| 2015 | 103.7 | 94.9 |
| 2016 | 97.9 | 94.0 |
| 2017 | 99.2 | 99.8 |
| 2018 | 99.2 | 105.3 |
| 2019 | 104.0 | 104.8 |
| 2020 | 106.8 | 104.5 |
| 2021 | 107.2 | 106.9 |
| 2022 | 108.0 | 109.0 |
| 2023 | 102.2 | 104.9 |
| 2024 | 108.0 | 105.2 |
Housing (rents)
- San Diego, CA
- Salinas, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Diego, CA | Salinas, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 179.4 | 158.2 |
| 2009 | 178.4 | 149.0 |
| 2010 | 180.8 | 159.4 |
| 2011 | 175.1 | 159.3 |
| 2012 | 173.2 | 163.3 |
| 2013 | 175.1 | 166.7 |
| 2014 | 182.6 | 151.0 |
| 2015 | 178.4 | 161.6 |
| 2016 | 179.5 | 155.0 |
| 2017 | 184.3 | 164.9 |
| 2018 | 186.1 | 164.4 |
| 2019 | 185.2 | 168.6 |
| 2020 | 184.7 | 164.6 |
| 2021 | 190.0 | 159.5 |
| 2022 | 183.9 | 159.5 |
| 2023 | 185.8 | 166.6 |
| 2024 | 179.3 | 145.7 |
Utilities
- San Diego, CA
- Salinas, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Diego, CA | Salinas, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 124.0 | 97.7 |
| 2009 | 143.7 | 96.4 |
| 2010 | 138.4 | 110.4 |
| 2011 | 134.5 | 112.8 |
| 2012 | 142.1 | 116.1 |
| 2013 | 147.1 | 115.3 |
| 2014 | 142.7 | 121.2 |
| 2015 | 144.9 | 121.3 |
| 2016 | 150.2 | 115.5 |
| 2017 | 152.3 | 110.4 |
| 2018 | 156.0 | 120.2 |
| 2019 | 157.2 | 128.6 |
| 2020 | 163.4 | 130.6 |
| 2021 | 166.3 | 140.8 |
| 2022 | 166.2 | 144.7 |
| 2023 | 158.3 | 138.4 |
| 2024 | 174.2 | 154.2 |
Other services
- San Diego, CA
- Salinas, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| San Diego, CA | Salinas, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.7 | 97.7 |
| 2009 | 101.6 | 100.7 |
| 2010 | 99.9 | 98.8 |
| 2011 | 102.6 | 102.5 |
| 2012 | 103.1 | 102.4 |
| 2013 | 103.2 | 101.1 |
| 2014 | 101.0 | 101.0 |
| 2015 | 102.3 | 99.8 |
| 2016 | 108.1 | 98.9 |
| 2017 | 104.4 | 99.2 |
| 2018 | 104.5 | 103.7 |
| 2019 | 103.4 | 101.8 |
| 2020 | 103.2 | 100.4 |
| 2021 | 103.4 | 98.6 |
| 2022 | 103.0 | 103.9 |
| 2023 | 99.9 | 104.2 |
| 2024 | 99.6 | 100.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,771 in Salinas vs $2,967 in San Diego
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- San Diego, CA
- Salinas, 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
| San Diego, CA | Salinas, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,634 | $1,515 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,657 | $1,551 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,691 | $1,550 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,698 | $1,637 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,721 | $1,647 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,758 | $1,713 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,780 | $1,733 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,785 | $1,717 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,825 | $1,790 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,871 | $1,829 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,889 | $1,834 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,891 | $1,855 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,926 | $1,882 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,965 | $1,936 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,987 | $1,964 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,983 | $1,936 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $2,001 | $1,964 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $2,036 | $2,013 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $2,056 | $2,058 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $2,059 | $2,040 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $2,073 | $2,043 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $2,059 | $2,048 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $2,093 | $2,111 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $2,128 | $2,152 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,165 | $2,155 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,265 | $2,205 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,415 | $2,337 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,481 | $2,337 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,556 | $2,360 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,684 | $2,447 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,742 | $2,458 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,709 | $2,482 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,740 | $2,517 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,817 | $2,526 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,836 | $2,583 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,784 | $2,532 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,801 | $2,602 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,851 | $2,614 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,861 | $2,667 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,849 | $2,709 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,875 | $2,787 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,900 | $2,744 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,904 | $2,750 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,884 | $2,743 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,915 | $2,790 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,949 | $2,909 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,967 | $2,771 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $841,000 in Salinas vs $927,000 in San Diego
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- San Diego, CA
- Salinas, 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
| San Diego, CA | Salinas, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $464K | $430K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $472K | $439K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $480K | $448K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $493K | $464K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $505K | $478K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $509K | $482K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $514K | $487K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $526K | $499K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $537K | $512K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $546K | $519K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $555K | $526K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $568K | $535K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $577K | $545K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $583K | $553K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $587K | $558K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $589K | $567K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $589K | $573K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $592K | $578K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $593K | $581K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $600K | $587K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $612K | $597K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $619K | $606K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $628K | $618K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $661K | $649K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $694K | $679K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $739K | $718K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $762K | $740K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $778K | $755K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $842K | $797K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $895K | $830K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $874K | $811K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $847K | $793K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $833K | $781K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $852K | $795K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $887K | $815K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $906K | $825K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $921K | $828K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $944K | $843K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $945K | $847K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $945K | $849K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $942K | $846K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $929K | $836K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $920K | $831K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $923K | $832K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $925K | $831K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $924K | $834K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $927K | $841K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in San Diego, CA
- Cost of living in Salinas, CA
- Reverse: moving from Salinas to San Diego
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.