Cost of Living: San Marcos, CA vs San Diego, CA
Quick rent-and-take-home comparison
Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $3,974/mo in San Marcos, CA versus $3,974/mo in San Diego, CA. In the model, rent is about 31.92% of gross in San Marcos, CA versus 32.4% in San Diego, CA, so San Marcos, CA tends to feel more affordable for rent.
Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between San Marcos, CA and San Diego, CA.
At a glance
- Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): San Marcos, CA
- Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): San Marcos, CA
- Lower home prices: San Marcos, CA
- Higher median household income: San Marcos, CA
Cost of Living Index
San Marcos, CA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · San Diego, CA: 142.3 (U.S. = 100)
San Marcos, CA has a lower cost-of-living index than San Diego, CA, so a given salary generally stretches further there.
Median Rent
San Marcos, CA: $2,082/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · San Diego, CA: $2,112/mo
Median rent in San Diego, CA is $30/mo higher than in San Marcos, CA.
Median Home Price
San Marcos, CA: $792,400 · San Diego, CA: $848,500
Median home price in San Diego, CA is $56,100 higher than in San Marcos, CA.
Median Household Income
San Marcos, CA: $105,286 · San Diego, CA: $104,321
San Marcos, CA has a higher median household income than San Diego, CA by $965.
San Marcos, CA overview · San Diego, CA overview · Popular comparisons