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

San Diego

California
197
VS

Midland

Texas
99

San Diego is 99% more expensive than Midland.

$2,223/mo ↑ 58%
Median Rent
$1,407/mo ↓ 37%
$104,321/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$91,169/yr ↓ 13%
$848,500 ↑ 184%
Home Value
$298,600 ↓ 65%
$2,308/mo ↑ 57%
Owner Costs
$1,468/mo ↓ 36%
1,385,061
Population
133,998

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and Midland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 99 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $816/month cheaper in Midland, saving renters about $9,792/year.

Median household income is $13,152/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 compared to $298,600 in Midland.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Midland residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego vs Midland — common questions

Is San Diego or Midland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Midland is cheaper to live in with an index of 99 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and Midland?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in Midland it's $1,407/month — a difference of $816/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or Midland?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $91,169 in Midland. Median household income is $13,152/year higher in San Diego.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to San Diego or Midland?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/mo, while Midland has a cost index of 99 with rent of $1,407/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Diego details → View Midland details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Diego and Midland

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