San Diego, CA

Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data

All 791 jobs →

Avg Salary

$84,786

across all roles

Cost Index

133

Expensive

Avg Rent

$2,250/mo

1-bed apartment

Affordability

5/10

Low Affordability

How affordable is San Diego?

5/10

Low Affordability

Purchasing power score: 1.45× (take-home ÷ living costs)

With a cost of living index of 133 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $1,593/mo, San Diego is a high-cost market — salaries need to be competitive to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

Cost of Living Benchmarks

Cost Index

133

US avg = 100

Est. Monthly Rent

$2,250

1-bed, city avg

Avg Disposable

$1,593

after taxes + living costs

Median Salary

$74,434

across all tracked roles

Purchasing Power

1.45×

take-home ÷ costs

Jobs Tracked

791

job titles with data

Highest-Paying Jobs in San Diego

By gross annual salary

1.Obstetricians And Gynecologists
$266,651
2.Neurologists
$265,291
3.Radiologists
$263,440
4.Nurse Anesthetists
$258,746
5.Anesthesiologists
$255,878
6.Ophthalmologists
$255,864
7.Orthodontists
$253,269
8.Orthopedic Surgeons
$249,559
9.Pediatricians
$240,088
10.Family Medicine Physicians
$237,151

Best Jobs for Disposable Income

After taxes and living costs

1.Obstetricians And Gynecologists
$12,656/mo
2.Neurologists
$12,574/mo
3.Radiologists
$12,461/mo
4.Nurse Anesthetists
$12,175/mo
5.Anesthesiologists
$12,001/mo
6.Ophthalmologists
$12,000/mo
7.Orthodontists
$11,842/mo
8.Orthopedic Surgeons
$11,617/mo
9.Pediatricians
$11,040/mo
10.Family Medicine Physicians
$10,862/mo

Jobs With Tightest Budgets in San Diego

These roles leave the least disposable income after living costs — worth knowing before accepting an offer.

Fiberglass Laminators And Fabricators

$9/mo left

$58,745/yr gross

New Accounts Clerks

$9/mo left

$58,755/yr gross

Firstline Supervisors Of Retail Sales Workers

$18/mo left

$58,901/yr gross

Motorcycle Mechanics

$18/mo left

$58,897/yr gross

Fence Erectors

$19/mo left

$58,910/yr gross

Explore San Diego Further

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All data derived from BLS OEWS metro data and regional cost-of-living indices. Figures are estimates; verify with local sources before making decisions.