What it actually costs to live in
San Diego County, CA.
Living wage breakdown for San Diego County, California — by household size.
Living wage by household size
| Household | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $24.54 | $51,038 |
| 1 Adult, 1 Child | $36.91 | $76,769 |
| 1 Adult, 2 Children | $48.41 | $100,684 |
| 1 Adult, 3 Children | $59.67 | $124,119 |
| 2 Adults (1 working) | $31.45 | $65,414 |
| 2 Adults, 1 Child | $44.26 | $92,070 |
| 2 Adults, 2 Children | $55.39 | $115,206 |
| 2 Adults, 3 Children | $66.28 | $137,852 |
Annual cost breakdown (1 Adult)
| Category | Annual Cost | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $19,700 | $1,642 |
| Food | $5,538 | $462 |
| Medical | $4,284 | $357 |
| Transportation | $6,406 | $534 |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 |
| Civic & Other | $2,617 | $218 |
| Personal & Misc | $3,306 | $276 |
| Taxes | $9,187 | $766 |
| Total | $51,038 | $4,253 |
Wage comparison
Living wage$24.54/hr
Minimum wage$16.50/hr
Poverty wage$7.52/hr
Have a salary in mind for San Diego County?
Check a salary →Data calculated from HUD, BLS, USDA, and Census data (2025). Methodology based on MIT Living Wage Calculator research.