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

San Diego

California
197
VS

Tampa

Florida
113

San Diego is 74% more expensive than Tampa.

$2,223/mo ↑ 42%
Median Rent
$1,567/mo ↓ 30%
$104,321/yr ↑ 46%
Median Income
$71,302/yr ↓ 32%
$848,500 ↑ 126%
Home Value
$375,300 ↓ 56%
$2,308/mo ↑ 49%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 33%
1,385,061
Population
393,389

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and Tampa, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 113 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $656/month cheaper in Tampa, saving renters about $7,872/year.

Median household income is $33,019/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 compared to $375,300 in Tampa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego vs Tampa — common questions

Is San Diego or Tampa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tampa is cheaper to live in with an index of 113 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and Tampa?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in Tampa it's $1,567/month — a difference of $656/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or Tampa?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $71,302 in Tampa. Median household income is $33,019/year higher in San Diego.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to San Diego or Tampa?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/mo, while Tampa has a cost index of 113 with rent of $1,567/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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