City cost comparison
Los Angeles vs San Diego
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Los Angeles, CA against San Diego, CA.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $1,400 | $1,232 | +14% cheaper in San Diego |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,670 | $1,536 | +9% cheaper in San Diego |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $755 | $717 | +5% cheaper in San Diego |
| FoodPer child / month | $420 | $403 | +4% cheaper in San Diego |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $100 | $94 | +6% cheaper in San Diego |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.