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Miami vs San Diego: prices, pay and housing
| Miami, FL | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 114.2 | 111.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $67,190 | $79,060 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $48,640 | $58,690 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $58,859 | $70,661 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,098 | $61,188 |
| Typical home value | $475,622 | $946,365 |
| Median household income | $73,481 | $102,285 |
| Home price / household income | 6.5 | 9.3 |
| Metro population | 6,138,876 | 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: Miami to San Diego
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Miami to San Diego, multiply your salary by 0.980.
| Salary in Miami | Same buying power in San Diego |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Miami | $49,007 in San Diego |
| $75,000 in Miami | $73,510 in San Diego |
| $100,000 in Miami | $98,013 in San Diego |
| $150,000 in Miami | $147,020 in San Diego |
| $200,000 in Miami | $196,026 in San Diego |
Salaries for common jobs in Miami and San Diego
| Job | Miami | San Diego | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,420 | $36,830 | $30,152 / $32,917 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,770 | $40,870 | $27,831 / $36,528 |
| Retail Salespersons | $36,820 | $41,850 | $32,254 / $37,404 |
| Cashiers | $32,520 | $39,820 | $28,488 / $35,589 |
| Registered Nurses | $94,990 | $145,060 | $83,211 / $129,649 |
| Office Clerks, General | $46,750 | $51,310 | $40,953 / $45,859 |
| General and Operations Managers | $131,240 | $144,610 | $114,966 / $129,246 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $41,120 | $47,700 | $36,021 / $42,632 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,750 | $44,270 | $35,697 / $39,567 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $34,940 | $41,970 | $30,608 / $37,511 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,240 | $42,790 | $33,498 / $38,244 |
| Software Developers | $144,730 | $163,300 | $126,784 / $145,951 |
| Security Guards | $37,900 | $43,110 | $33,200 / $38,530 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $90,920 | $100,980 | $79,646 / $90,252 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,300 | $45,770 | $33,551 / $40,907 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Miami vs San Diego: questions
Is Miami more expensive than San Diego?
Yes. BEA prices are 114.2 in Miami, FL and 111.9 in San Diego, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Diego to match $100,000 in Miami?
About $98,013, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Miami 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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