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

San Diego

California
197
VS

Tyler

Texas
79

San Diego is 149% more expensive than Tyler.

$2,223/mo ↑ 85%
Median Rent
$1,199/mo ↓ 46%
$104,321/yr ↑ 59%
Median Income
$65,527/yr ↓ 37%
$848,500 ↑ 292%
Home Value
$216,400 ↓ 74%
$2,308/mo ↑ 97%
Owner Costs
$1,170/mo ↓ 49%
1,385,061
Population
107,718

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
22.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and Tyler, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,024/month cheaper in Tyler, saving renters about $12,288/year.

Median household income is $38,794/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 compared to $216,400 in Tyler.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego vs Tyler — common questions

Is San Diego or Tyler cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tyler is cheaper to live in with an index of 79 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and Tyler?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in Tyler it's $1,199/month — a difference of $1,024/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or Tyler?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $65,527 in Tyler. Median household income is $38,794/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 Tyler?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/mo, while Tyler has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,199/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Diego details → View Tyler details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Diego and Tyler

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