Kept

City vs city

Los Angeles vs San Diego

$100,000 in Los Angeles buys a lifestyle closer to $98,000 in San Diego, because San Diego's cost-of-living index is 146 versus 149.

Los Angeles

Large, spread-out, and car-dependent. Housing and insurance push costs well above the US average.

COL index
149
Typical 1-bed
$2,550/mo
Comfortable salary
$127,000
$100k take-home
$73,957
Full Los Angeles guide

San Diego

Climate premium is real. Rents rival Los Angeles without the same density of ultra-high salaries.

COL index
146
Typical 1-bed
$2,450/mo
Comfortable salary
$124,000
$100k take-home
$73,957
Full San Diego guide

More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs San Diegovs Irvine