CICostIndexUSA

San Diego, CA vs Yakima, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Diego
111.9
overall index
$3,000/mo rent
More AffordableWA
Yakima
95.5
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Yakima is moderately cheaper than San Diego — 14.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Diego, you would need $68,300 in Yakima. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing59.5%
San Diego
179.3
Yakima
72.6
🛒 Groceries2.8%
San Diego
108
Yakima
105
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
San Diego
104.6
Yakima
104.4
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
San Diego
94.6
Yakima
94.5
Utilities47.2%
San Diego
174.2
Yakima
91.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Yakima, WA
$68,300
$11,700 less needed in Yakima

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 111.9) = salary × 0.8534. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price
$934,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,000
Housing Index
179.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.9×

Yakima, WA

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
72.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.9×

San Diego has 59.5% lower housing costs compared to Yakima.

Income & Job Market

San Diego, CA

Median Household Income
$109,100
Per Capita Income
$62,200
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
1,386,932
Top Industries
MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnologyHealthcare

Yakima, WA

Median Household Income
$75,400
Per Capita Income
$43,000
Unemployment Rate
7.8%
Population
92,685
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

67% of income left after rent (median)

Yakima, WA
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.