Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ New York vs San Diego
New York vs San Diego cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ New York
πΊπΈ San DiegoSan Diego is 27% cheaper than New York
Living on $11,647 a month in New York feels like about $7,995 in San Diego β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$478 vs $369
Per month
$11,647 vs $7,995
Local meal
$ 20 vs $ 17
$20 vs $17
Taxi 5 km
$ 23 vs $ 17
$23 vs $17
At a glance
FoodSan Diego 16% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksSan Diego 9% cheaper
TransportSan Diego 18% cheaper
StaySan Diego 30% cheaper
FunSan Diego 10% cheaper
- Where San Diego is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (36%β), Taxi (26%β), Hotel night (25%β)
Item by item
| Item | New York | San Diego | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 20$20 | $ 17$17 | San Diego β15% |
| Street food1 item | $ 9$9 | $ 7.7$7.7 | San Diego β14% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 55$55 | $ 45$45 | San Diego β18% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 6$6 | $ 5.5$5.5 | San Diego β8% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 9$9 | $ 8$8 | San Diego β11% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 23$23 | $ 21$21 | San Diego β9% |
| Bottled water | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2$2 | San Diego β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 6.3$6.3 | $ 5$5 | San Diego β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 23$23 | $ 17$17 | San Diego β26% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 14$14 | $ 12$12 | San Diego β14% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.9$2.9 | $ 2.5$2.5 | San Diego β14% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 68$68 | $ 60$60 | San Diego β12% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 280$280 | $ 210$210 | San Diego β25% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 3,900$3,900 | $ 2,500$2,500 | San Diego β36% |
| Laundry | $ 4.5$4.5 | $ 4$4 | San Diego β11% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 28$28 | $ 25$25 | San Diego β11% |
| Haircutcut | $ 39$39 | $ 35$35 | San Diego β10% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 110$110 | $ 100$100 | San Diego β9% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 100$100 | $ 90$90 | San Diego β10% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 28$28 | $ 25$25 | San Diego β11% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, New York or San Diego?
San Diego is 27% cheaper than New York. Daily budget $478 vs $369; a month $11,647 vs $7,995.
How do monthly costs compare between New York and San Diego?
With a short-term studio and living costs, New York is about $11,647 and San Diego about $7,995 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.