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New York vs San Diego: prices, pay and housing
| New York, NY | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 112.6 | 111.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $86,310 | $79,060 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $61,430 | $58,690 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $76,677 | $70,661 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $65,407 | $61,188 |
| Typical home value | $727,625 | $946,365 |
| Median household income | $97,334 | $102,285 |
| Home price / household income | 7.5 | 9.3 |
| Metro population | 19,756,722 | 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: New York to San Diego
To keep the same standard of living when moving from New York to San Diego, multiply your salary by 0.994.
| Salary in New York | Same buying power in San Diego |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in New York | $49,700 in San Diego |
| $75,000 in New York | $74,550 in San Diego |
| $100,000 in New York | $99,399 in San Diego |
| $150,000 in New York | $149,099 in San Diego |
| $200,000 in New York | $198,799 in San Diego |
Salaries for common jobs in New York and San Diego
| Job | New York | San Diego | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $41,120 | $36,830 | $36,531 / $32,917 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,130 | $40,870 | $32,986 / $36,528 |
| Retail Salespersons | $43,950 | $41,850 | $39,045 / $37,404 |
| Cashiers | $38,180 | $39,820 | $33,919 / $35,589 |
| Registered Nurses | $119,600 | $145,060 | $106,252 / $129,649 |
| Office Clerks, General | $50,080 | $51,310 | $44,491 / $45,859 |
| General and Operations Managers | $189,200 | $144,610 | $168,084 / $129,246 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $55,000 | $47,700 | $48,862 / $42,632 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $45,280 | $44,270 | $40,226 / $39,567 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $45,520 | $41,970 | $40,440 / $37,511 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,380 | $42,790 | $37,650 / $38,244 |
| Software Developers | $165,870 | $163,300 | $147,357 / $145,951 |
| Security Guards | $46,140 | $43,110 | $40,990 / $38,530 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $98,820 | $100,980 | $87,791 / $90,252 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $43,200 | $45,770 | $38,379 / $40,907 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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New York vs San Diego: questions
Is New York more expensive than San Diego?
Yes. BEA prices are 112.6 in New York, NY and 111.9 in San Diego, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Diego to match $100,000 in New York?
About $99,399, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, New York or San Diego?
New York, NY: 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.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.