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Dallas vs San Diego: prices, pay and housing
| Dallas, TX | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.1 | 111.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $70,630 | $79,060 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $51,440 | $58,690 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,513 | $70,661 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $58,518 | $61,188 |
| Typical home value | $366,823 | $946,365 |
| Median household income | $87,155 | $102,285 |
| Home price / household income | 4.2 | 9.3 |
| Metro population | 7,807,555 | 3,282,782 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Dallas to San Diego
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Dallas to San Diego, multiply your salary by 1.085.
| Salary in Dallas | Same buying power in San Diego |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Dallas | $54,267 in San Diego |
| $75,000 in Dallas | $81,400 in San Diego |
| $100,000 in Dallas | $108,533 in San Diego |
| $150,000 in Dallas | $162,800 in San Diego |
| $200,000 in Dallas | $217,067 in San Diego |
Salaries for common jobs in Dallas and San Diego
| Job | Dallas | San Diego | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $28,460 | $36,830 | $27,607 / $32,917 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,350 | $40,870 | $28,470 / $36,528 |
| Retail Salespersons | $35,160 | $41,850 | $34,106 / $37,404 |
| Cashiers | $30,290 | $39,820 | $29,382 / $35,589 |
| Registered Nurses | $100,820 | $145,060 | $97,798 / $129,649 |
| Office Clerks, General | $45,400 | $51,310 | $44,039 / $45,859 |
| General and Operations Managers | $139,120 | $144,610 | $134,950 / $129,246 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,530 | $47,700 | $29,615 / $42,632 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,830 | $44,270 | $39,606 / $39,567 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $35,470 | $41,970 | $34,407 / $37,511 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,140 | $42,790 | $38,937 / $38,244 |
| Software Developers | $138,810 | $163,300 | $134,649 / $145,951 |
| Security Guards | $40,160 | $43,110 | $38,956 / $38,530 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $92,820 | $100,980 | $90,038 / $90,252 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,860 | $45,770 | $34,785 / $40,907 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Dallas vs San Diego: questions
Is Dallas more expensive than San Diego?
No. BEA prices are 103.1 in Dallas, TX and 111.9 in San Diego, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Diego to match $100,000 in Dallas?
About $108,533, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Dallas or San Diego?
San Diego, CA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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