Cost of Living: San Diego, CA vs Athens, GA (2026)

San Diego

California
197
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

San Diego is 137% more expensive than Athens.

$2,223/mo ↑ 91%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↓ 48%
$104,321/yr ↑ 102%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↓ 50%
$848,500 ↑ 212%
Home Value
$271,800 ↓ 68%
$2,308/mo ↑ 98%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↓ 50%
1,385,061
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.49%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,061/month cheaper in Athens, saving renters about $12,732/year.

Median household income is $52,666/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

Georgia has a lower income tax rate, making Athens slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego vs Athens — common questions

Is San Diego or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Athens is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and Athens?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $1,061/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or Athens?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $52,666/year higher in San Diego.
How do taxes compare between California and Georgia?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to San Diego or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Diego details → View Athens details →

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