Build your monthly budget for San Diego. The calculator is pre-filled with realistic local expenses, including $2,400 average rent, so you can see your savings rate against the 50/30/20 rule.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
San Diego has a cost-of-living index of 143 (US average = 100). Housing is usually the largest line item, with average 1-bedroom rent near $2,400/month. The estimates below are pre-filled in the calculator and scaled to local costs.
| Expense Category | Typical San Diego Amount |
|---|---|
| Housing (1-bedroom rent) | $2,400/month |
| Food (single person) | $475/month |
| Transportation | $575/month |
| Utilities & Internet | $190/month |
| Healthcare & Insurance | $320/month |
| Personal & Entertainment | $250/month |
| Recommended Savings | 15%+ of gross income |
| Emergency Fund Target | 3 to 6 months of expenses |
San Diego pairs a major U.S. Navy and Marine Corps presence with a world-class biotech and life-sciences cluster, a busy tourism economy, and cross-border trade with Tijuana, all along one of the most desirable stretches of California coastline.
| Local Metric | San Diego (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 1.4 million |
| County / jurisdiction | San Diego County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 143 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $27.30/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $47.10/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $17.25/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,400/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $3,100/month |
| Median home price | $1,010,000 |
| Median household income | $98,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 7.75% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.73% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
With a cost-of-living index of 143 (US average = 100) and average 1-bedroom rent near $2,400/month, a single adult in San Diego typically needs take-home pay of at least $6,350/month to cover needs and save. The MIT living wage for a single adult is about $27.30/hour.
Split after-tax income into 50% needs (housing, food, utilities, transport, minimum debt), 30% wants, and 20% savings and extra debt payoff. In a high-cost city like San Diego, the needs share often runs above 50%, so protect the 20% savings target.
Average rent in San Diego is about $2,400 for a 1-bedroom and $3,100 for a 2-bedroom. A common guideline keeps rent under 30% of gross income, though that is difficult in higher-cost metros.
Based on the local cost-of-living index, typical monthly expenses in San Diego run around $2,400 housing, $475 food, $575 transportation, and $190 utilities for a single person. The calculator is pre-filled with these estimates.
Aim for three to six months of essential expenses. In San Diego, with monthly needs around $3,960, that is roughly $11,880 to $23,760.