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

San Diego

California
197
VS

Fullerton

California
195

San Diego and Fullerton have a similar cost of living.

$2,223/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$2,124/mo ↓ 4%
$104,321/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$104,219/yr ≈ Same
$848,500 ↓ 1%
Home Value
$859,600 ↑ 1%
$2,308/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$2,251/mo ↓ 2%
1,385,061
Population
141,278

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and Fullerton, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 195 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $99/month cheaper in Fullerton, saving renters about $1,188/year.

Median household income is $102/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 compared to $859,600 in Fullerton.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego vs Fullerton — common questions

Is San Diego or Fullerton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fullerton is cheaper to live in with an index of 195 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and Fullerton?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in Fullerton it's $2,124/month — a difference of $99/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or Fullerton?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $104,219 in Fullerton. Median household income is $102/year higher in San Diego.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Diego or Fullerton?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/mo, while Fullerton has a cost index of 195 with rent of $2,124/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Diego details → View Fullerton details →

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