Cost of Living in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Is it worth moving here?
How far does a $70,000 salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad? Estimated income taxes on that gross salary total approximately $9,953 per year — combining federal taxes with California's state income tax. Subtract rent for a 2-bedroom apartment ($3,001/month based on HUD Fair Market Rents for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area) and the estimated annual take-home is $24,035, or roughly $2,003 per month for everything else: food, transportation, savings, and discretionary spending.
The San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro has a cost of living index of 185.8 according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (national average = 100). At 86% above average, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad is a noticeably expensive metro — groceries, services, and everyday purchases cost more than in most of the country.
At a $70,000 salary, the estimated 2-bedroom rent in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad represents approximately 51% of gross income. That is well above what most financial advisors recommend, indicating that San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad is a financial stretch at a $70,000 salary without roommates or a higher-earning household.
Annual Breakdown
Cost of Living Index
Living in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is roughly 86% more expensive than the national average.
Monthly Take-Home
... / mo
Affordability Score
K-12 Schools
See Details →Colleges & Universities
See Details →| Institution | Enrollment | In-State Tuition | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-San Diego | 42,376 | $11,834 | 88.0% |
| CET-San Diego | 225 | $0 | 86.0% |
| ATA College | 106 | $0 | 86.0% |
| Associated Technical College-San Diego | 77 | $0 | 84.0% |
| California Hair Design Academy | 125 | $0 | 83.0% |
| University of San Diego | 9,110 | $55,690 | 82.0% |
| San Diego State University | 39,241 | $5,742 | 78.0% |
| Associated Barber College of San Diego | 116 | $0 | 76.0% |
| Bellus Academy-El Cajon | 205 | $0 | 75.0% |
| Southern California College of Barber and Beauty | 75 | $0 | 75.0% |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | 4,494 | $42,600 | 74.0% |
| California Barber and Beauty College | 61 | $0 | 74.0% |
| Healing Hands School of Holistic Health | 256 | $0 | 71.0% |
| Concorde Career College-San Diego | 178 | $0 | 71.0% |
| California Institute of Arts & Technology | 14 | $14,640 | 70.0% |
| Pacific College of Health and Science | 885 | $10,492 | 67.0% |
| UEI College-Oceanside | 777 | $0 | 66.0% |
| UEI College-Chula Vista | 1,344 | $0 | 65.0% |
| John Paul the Great Catholic University | 298 | $28,500 | 65.0% |
| Bellus Academy-Poway | 369 | $0 | 64.0% |
| Paul Mitchell the School-San Diego | 250 | $0 | 63.0% |
| Bellus Academy-Chula Vista | 379 | $0 | 60.0% |
| Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos | 630 | $0 | 58.0% |
| Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista | 675 | $0 | 57.0% |
| California State University-San Marcos | 15,431 | $5,742 | 54.0% |
| Newschool of Architecture and Design | 280 | $29,691 | 51.0% |
| National University | 19,924 | $13,320 | 50.0% |
| Design Institute of San Diego | 111 | $29,250 | 50.0% |
| ICOHS College | 215 | $0 | 49.0% |
| San Diego Miramar College | 13,569 | $1,104 | 48.0% |
| University of Saint Katherine | 262 | $27,000 | 43.0% |
| MiraCosta College | 11,707 | $1,104 | 41.0% |
| San Diego Mesa College | 19,243 | $1,104 | 34.0% |
| Palomar College | 18,815 | $1,288 | 34.0% |
| Cuyamaca College | 8,437 | $1,288 | 34.0% |
| Grossmont College | 13,591 | $1,288 | 32.0% |
| Southwestern College | 18,469 | $1,288 | 31.0% |
| Gemological Institute of America-Carlsbad | 308 | $0 | 28.0% |
| San Diego City College | 13,197 | $1,104 | 24.0% |
| San Diego Christian College | 102 | $24,500 | 24.0% |
| Alliant International University-San Diego | 4,147 | $17,544 | 22.0% |
| Ashford University | 32,604 | $12,240 | 9.0% |
| Northcentral University | 10,518 | $11,064 | — |
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences | 4,748 | $0 | — |
| United States University | 2,539 | $6,467 | — |
| California Institute of Arts & Technology-National City | 1,410 | $14,640 | — |
| California Western School of Law | 625 | $0 | — |
| North-West College-San Diego | 551 | $0 | — |
| Thomas Jefferson School of Law | 244 | $0 | — |
| California Miramar University | 222 | $9,744 | — |
| Escondido Adult School | 195 | $0 | — |
| Palomar Institute of Cosmetology | 173 | $0 | — |
| Poway Adult School | 153 | $0 | — |
| The Chicago School at San Diego | 141 | $18,576 | — |
| Southern California Seminary | 138 | $17,280 | — |
| Vista Adult School | 127 | $0 | — |
| San Diego Global Knowledge University | 111 | $10,320 | — |
| High Tech High Graduate School of Education | 105 | $0 | — |
| Westminster Theological Seminary in California | 101 | $0 | — |
| Franciscan School of Theology | 69 | $0 | — |
| Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute | 48 | $0 | — |
| Riggins Urban Barber College | 43 | $0 | — |
| The Nurse Academy | 34 | $0 | — |