CostIndexUSA

Las Vegas, NV vs San Diego, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNV
Las Vegas
100.2
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
CA
San Diego
111.9
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Las Vegas is moderately cheaper than San Diego — 11.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Las Vegas, you would need $89,300 in San Diego. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+55.2%
Las Vegas
115.5
San Diego
179.3
🛒 Groceries+12.1%
Las Vegas
96.3
San Diego
108
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Las Vegas
103.7
San Diego
104.6
🏥 Healthcare+0.9%
Las Vegas
93.8
San Diego
94.6
Utilities+92.3%
Las Vegas
90.6
San Diego
174.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Las Vegas to see what you'd need to earn in San Diego to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in San Diego, CA
$89,300
$9,300 more needed in San Diego

Formula: salary × (111.9 ÷ 100.2) = salary × 1.1168. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Las Vegas, NV

Median Home Price
$426,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
115.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.6×

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price
$904,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
179.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.2×

San Diego has 55.2% higher housing costs compared to Las Vegas.

Income & Job Market

Las Vegas, NV

Median Household Income
$75,100
Per Capita Income
$42,800
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
641,903
Top Industries
TourismGamingHealthcareConstructionRetail

San Diego, CA

Median Household Income
$103,700
Per Capita Income
$59,100
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
1,386,932
Top Industries
MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnologyHealthcare

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Las Vegas, NV
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

San Diego, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.