City cost comparison
San Diego vs Los Angeles
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing San Diego, CA against Los Angeles, CA.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $1,232 | $1,400 | +12% cheaper in San Diego |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,536 | $1,670 | +8% cheaper in San Diego |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $717 | $755 | +5% cheaper in San Diego |
| FoodPer child / month | $403 | $420 | +4% cheaper in San Diego |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $94 | $100 | +6% cheaper in San Diego |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.