14 Pros and Cons of Living in San Diego

Living in San Diego offers year-round sunshine, world-class beaches, and a thriving cultural scene, but it also comes with high housing costs and wildfire risks. Renters are drawn to the city’s coastal lifestyle, robust job market, and diverse neighborhoods. If you’re interested in moving to one of “America’s Finest Cities,” it’s important to weigh the trade-offs before moving.

Data Methodology: We used internal Apartment List data and cross-referenced it with neighborhood data from Rent.com and Apartments.com to give you the most accurate snapshot of rents across San Diego’s largest metros as of September 2025. Crime grades are from CrimeGrade.org and Weichert.

Key Insights

San Diego renters enjoy unmatched weather and coastal living but face some of the steepest housing costs in California. As of September 2025, the average rent is $3,547 per month, a -1.3% year-over-year increase. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income is $105,780.

Renters searching in San Diego will need to weigh regional trade-offs:

• La Jolla and Pacific Beach offer coastal luxury and nightlife but come with
• some of the city’s highest rents, at $3,415 and $2,945 respectively.
• North County suburbs like Encinitas, with average rents of $3,110, and Carlsbad, with average rents of $3,172 provide more space and top schools but long commutes.
• South Bay areas such as Chula Vista are more affordable, with average rents of $2,628 per month, but you give up the convenience of being close to job hubs and beaches.

Wherever you live, San Diego offers sunshine, culture, and outdoor living, but finding the right apartment that straddles cost and convenience is key.

Quick Facts About San Diego

What Are the Pros and Cons of Living in San Diego?

Before you move to San Diego, weigh the pros and cons to decide if it’s the right choice for you.

1. Pro: Incredible Weather

San Diego’s Mediterranean climate delivers mild, sunny conditions year-round, averaging 70°F with little humidity. The lack of seasonal extremes makes outdoor recreation and beach days possible every month of the year.

2. Con: High Cost of Living

The cost of living in San Diego is about 54.9% higher than the U.S. average, driven mainly by housing. Rents surge to $3,547 on average, while the median home price is around $833,500. Even with above-average incomes, many renters find affordability a challenge.

3. Pro: Beaches and Outdoor Lifestyle

San Diego is known for its more than 70 miles of coastline, with La Jolla Shores, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach. Locals can spend every weekend surfing, swimming, and relaxing. Inland, residents hike at Torrey Pines State Reserve or bike through Balboa Park.

4. Con: Traffic and Long Commutes

Freeways like I-5, I-15, and I-805 clog during rush hours, and commutes from suburbs like Chula Vista or Escondido often top an hour. The San Diego Trolley helps in some central areas, but coverage is limited, leaving most residents dependent on cars.

5. Pro: Thriving Job Market

San Diego has a strong economy built on biotech, defense, and tourism. Employers like Qualcomm, UC San Diego Health, and the U.S. Navy provide steady opportunities. The unemployment rate typically sits below the national average, making it attractive to skilled renters.

6. Con: Natural Disaster and Environmental Risks

San Diego faces wildfire danger in inland and canyon neighborhoods like Poway and Rancho Bernardo, while drought drives high water costs and restrictions. Earthquake risks are also a concern for locals across Southern California. If you live in these high-risk areas, you may face higher insurance premiums and utility bills.

7. Pro: Diverse Neighborhoods

San Diego’s neighborhoods each offer a unique lifestyle: Hillcrest is the LGBTQ+ hub, North Park is known for craft breweries and arts, La Jolla combines luxury with beach access, and Carlsbad and Encinitas draw families for their top schools.

8. Con: Expensive Utilities and Insurance

San Diego residents face some of the steepest electricity costs in the country. In 2024, SDG&E rates averaged about 47 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is more than twice the national average of roughly 16 cents per kWh.

According to data from Numbeo, basic utility costs (including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage) for a 915 square foot apartment is $272.11 a month. Adding on a mobile phone monthly plan and Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) brings up your total utility bill to $425.80 a month.

9. Pro: Amazing Cultural and Food Scene

San Diego offers cultural depth beyond its famous beaches. Venues like Pechanga Arena and the Old Globe Theatre host major shows, while Petco Park is home to the Padres. Food culture is anchored by fish tacos from Oscar’s Mexican Seafood, California burritos at Lucha Libre, and breweries like Stone Brewing and Ballast Point.

Festivals such as Comic-Con International, the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival, KAABOO Del Mar, and Old Town Día de los Muertos showcase the city’s diversity.

10. Con: Limited Housing Supply

Zoning restrictions and high demand have left San Diego with limited housing inventory. Vacancy rates dropped around 3.12% and are still driving up competition for apartments. Many renters compromise on location, space, or amenities to secure a lease.

11. Pro: Access to Mexico and International Travel

San Diego sits just 20 miles from the U.S.–Mexico border, giving residents easy access to Tijuana’s restaurants, inexpensive shopping, and cultural experiences. The Cross Border Xpress (CBX) terminal makes it simple to fly internationally from Tijuana’s airport, often at cheaper fares than San Diego International.

12. Con: Tourism Crowds

As one of the top vacation destinations in the U.S., San Diego draws over 32 million visitors each year. Tourist hotspots like Mission Beach, Balboa Park, and Old Town can feel crowded, especially during summer. While tourism supports the local economy, renters may find traffic, noise, and higher prices in tourist-heavy neighborhoods.

13. Pro: Strong Military Presence

San Diego is home to several major U.S. Navy and Marine Corps bases, including Naval Base San Diego and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. This brings stable jobs, economic investment, and a sense of patriotism throughout the city. It also makes San Diego one of the most military-friendly metros in the country.

14. Con: Limited Space for Growth

Geography limits San Diego’s housing and development. With the Pacific Ocean to the west, Mexico to the south, military bases occupying large tracts of land, and deserts/mountains inland, there’s little room to expand. This land constraint contributes to high housing costs and competitive rental markets.

Is San Diego a Good Place to Live?

Yes, San Diego is a good place to live for renters seeking sunshine, beaches, and job opportunities. The overall average rent for San Diego is $3,547 per month, but one-bedroom apartments average $2,930, while two-bedrooms cost around $3,861. Year-over-year, rents dropped by -1.3%, compared to a national decline of -0.7%.

What’s It Like Living in San Diego?

Living in San Diego blends beach life with urban convenience. Downtown and Pacific Beach attract young professionals with nightlife and water access, while Poway and Carlsbad offer suburban schools and family-friendly amenities. Chula Vista is more affordable but comes with longer commutes. The overall vibe is laid-back, outdoorsy, and community-driven.

What’s the Culture Like in San Diego?

San Diego’s culture mixes coastal living with arts and history. The Gaslamp Quarter is the nightlife hub, while Balboa Park offers 17 museums and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

Annual events include Comic-Con International, the KAABOO Music Festival, and the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival. Food and drink culture thrives with world-class Mexican cuisine, seafood, and a craft beer scene that has put San Diego on the map.

What’s the Cost of Living in San Diego?

San Diego’s cost of living is among the highest in the nation, led by housing, utilities, and transportation.

How Is the Job Market in San Diego?

San Diego’s job market is one of the strongest in Southern California. Key industries include biotech, defense, tourism, and higher education. Major employers like Qualcomm, UC San Diego, and the U.S. Navy anchor the economy.

San Diego’s unemployment rate of 5.2% is slightly higher than the national average of 4.3%, though competition for top roles can be steep.

How Safe Is San Diego?

San Diego is considered one of the safest large cities in the U.S., with its violent crime rate about 16% lower than Los Angeles and property crime about 11% lower, according to BestPlaces. Neighborhoods like Carmel Valley are ranked in the 71st percentile for safety, meaning they're safer than roughly 7 in 10 U.S. neighborhoods.

While parts of downtown and City Heights report higher incidents, renters should always check local crime maps to understand neighborhood-level risks.

What Are Schools Like in San Diego?

San Diego offers a mix of high-performing public schools and strong universities. Poway Unified and San Dieguito Union are among the top-rated districts. For higher education, renters have access to UC San Diego, San Diego State University, and the University of San Diego. Here’s a sample to consider:

Is San Diego a Good Place to Raise a Family?

Yes, San Diego can be a great place to raise a family, especially in suburbs with strong schools and safe communities. Carlsbad, Encinitas, and Poway are popular choices, with access to beaches, parks, and cultural attractions like the San Diego Natural History Museum and Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Housing is expensive, but many families find the trade-off worthwhile.

What Are Some Popular Neighborhoods in San Diego?

San Diego’s neighborhoods cater to every lifestyle. La Jolla and Del Mar are upscale and coastal, North Park and Hillcrest are trendy and walkable, and Chula Vista and Oceanside are more affordable family hubs. Renters should choose a San Diego neighborhood based on their priorities: beach access, affordability, or schools.

Is Living in San Diego Right for You?

Living in San Diego is ideal if you value sunshine, beaches, and cultural variety. But it may not be the best fit if affordability and commute times are your top concerns. Ready to find your new apartment in San Diego? Our personalized quiz takes minutes to complete but can save 50 hours of searching.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in San Diego

What are the downsides of living in San Diego?

The downsides of living in San Diego include high housing costs, long commutes, and some of the most expensive utilities in the country. Renters also need to factor in wildfire risks and higher insurance premiums, especially in inland or canyon neighborhoods.

Why are people moving to San Diego?

People are moving to San Diego for its year-round sunshine, world-class beaches, and thriving job opportunities in biotech, defense, and tourism. The city’s diverse neighborhoods and active lifestyle also make it appealing to a wide range of renters.

What are the biggest risks of living in San Diego?

The biggest risks of living in San Diego are drought, wildfire danger, and earthquake potential. Renters also face higher insurance costs in risk-prone areas, which adds to the overall expense of living in the region.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in San Diego?

If you follow the 30% rule and spend no more than 30% of your income on rent, you need about 141,800 annually to afford the overall average rent of $3,547, per month. Coastal neighborhoods like La Jolla or Encinitas require even larger incomes to afford the premium housing prices.

Is San Diego affordable compared to nearby cities?

San Diego is more affordable than San Francisco, where housing costs are even higher, but it is pricier than Los Angeles or inland California cities. Renters often find San Diego to be a middle ground between cost and lifestyle in the state.

What is the weather like in San Diego year-round?

San Diego averages 70°F year-round with very little humidity, making it one of the most comfortable climates in the U.S. The mild temperatures and limited seasonal variation are a big reason why people choose to live here.

Is public transportation good in San Diego?

Public transportation in San Diego is limited, with most service concentrated in central areas through the Trolley and bus lines. Many residents in suburban or coastal areas rely heavily on cars, which can add to commute times.