The minimum wage in San Diego is $17.25/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $27.30/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in San Diego.
San Diego sets a local minimum wage of $17.25/hour, above the California statewide minimum of $16.90/hour. The City of San Diego sets a local minimum wage above the California state floor and adjusts it annually for inflation. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in San Diego. With average 1-bedroom rent near $2,400/month and a cost-of-living index of 143 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (San Diego, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $17.25 | $35,880 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $27.30 | $56,784 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $47.10 | $97,968 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| California state minimum wage | $16.90 | $35,152 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $28,800 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for San Diego County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in San Diego.
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.
San Diego sets a local minimum wage of $17.25/hour, above the California statewide minimum of $16.90/hour. The City of San Diego sets a local minimum wage above the California state floor and adjusts it annually for inflation. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $35,880 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in San Diego County needs about $27.30/hour (roughly $56,784/year) to cover basic costs. That is $10.05/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $47.10/hour.
At $17.25/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $35,880 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $26,910/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in San Diego is about $2,400/month, or $28,800/year.
San Diego has a city minimum wage ordinance that sits above both the federal and California state minimums and rises with inflation.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. California's higher state and local rates apply in San Diego instead.