Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale vs San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

Cost of Living Comparison

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$9,953
Rent (2BR) -$31,212
Net Income $28,835

To match your lifestyle in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, you'd need:

$80,022

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale 173.0
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad 185.8
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale $16,669
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad $12,937

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$9,953
Rent (2BR) -$36,012
Net Income $24,035

To match your lifestyle in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, you'd need:

$60,899

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $4,800 more per year in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale compared to San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad. You'd pay $0 less in taxes in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, while housing costs 15% more. The cost of living in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale is 73% above avg, while San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad is 86% above avg, making Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale feels like earning $80,022 in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad ($21,053 vs $14,215 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
Schools
2,529
632
Enrollment
1,973,265
498,686
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
2.9%
2.5%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
Institutions
257
66
In-State Tuition
$21,053
$14,215
Out-of-State
$24,543
$18,294
Grad Rate
65.1%
57.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale or San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad more expensive?

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad is more expensive with a cost of living index of 185.8 vs 173.0 (national average = 100).

What salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad equals $70,000 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale?

You would need to earn approximately $80,022 in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale vs San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $31,212 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale and $36,012 in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad—housing is 15% more in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad.