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Are you thinking about living in San Diego? There’s definitely a lot to love. San Diego is known for its scenic, beautiful beaches and family-friendly attractions like Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. San Diego’s nickname is America’s Finest City, and it certainly lives up to that moniker.
Many people are moving to San Diego because San Diego living is fun, exciting, and lucrative. Residents enjoy easy access to stunning beaches, scenic mountains, and lush parks. The city also boasts a strong job market, making it an attractive place for both families and professionals.
San Diego is also called the Birthplace of California. According to Wikipedia, in 1542, the first European to visit the area was Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. He claimed the San Diego Bay for Spain and named it San Miguel. Settlers later renamed the city to "San Diego" in honor of San Diego de Alcalá. Europeans didn't permanently colonize the city until 1769. San Diego became part of Alta California, a Mexican territory, in 1821. The Mexican government ceded San Diego to the United States after the Mexican-American War in 1848.
The state government incorporated San Diego as a city in 1850, and soon after, a real estate developer was promoting the area. However, it began to expand rapidly thanks to the growth of its military and defense facilities after WWII. The population doubled between 1930 and 1950 alone.
Today, San Diego is one of California’s most idyllic cities, with seemingly everything you could want. Great food, beaches, amenities, neighborhoods, and job opportunities await. But before you start living in San Diego, you need to learn a little more about this special place. Here's what to know about California San Diego.
Table of Contents
Is San Diego a Good Place to Live?
Yes, San Diego is a great place to live. The San Diego area contains top outdoor activities, sunny weather, and great food, including great Mexican food.
What Is It Like Living in San Diego?
Living in San Diego is terrific! Kids can enjoy fun attractions and top schools. Young professionals can enjoy easy commutes on the public transportation system and great job opportunities. Retirees can enjoy safe streets near top attractions, including hiking trails.
How Is Living in San Diego?
Many residents living in San Diego find San Diego life stimulating and easy. You have many opportunities for jobs, and you can choose to retire and enjoy attractions like Pacific Beach.
What Is San Diego Known for?
San Diego is best known for its attractions. It is home to 70 miles of beaches and world-famous things to do, like the San Diego Zoo and LEGOLAND California.
What Does San Diego Mean?
The name "San Diego" comes from Saint Didacus of Alcalá, also known as San Diego de Alcalá. It does not mean anything in Spanish or another language.
Where Is San Diego?
Where is San Diego? It is in San Diego County, California, and the San Diego metro area. It is 121 miles from Los Angeles to San Diego. The community borders Tijuana, Mexico, as well as Chula Vista, National City, and Poway. It borders Orange County, Riverside County, and Imperial County along the Pacific Ocean.
The city contains various geographic features, including Cowles Mountain, Penasquitos Creek Waterfall, and Torrey Pines. You can use San Diego movers to move between locations. A San Diego moving company offers premium services, including storage services and labor only assistance.
What County Is San Diego In?
San Diego is in San Diego County. It serves as the county seat for San Diego County.
Where Is San Diego on the Map?
You can find San Diego on the map just above the Mexican border in the southwestern corner of California. It has a substantial coastline along the Pacific Ocean.
Are you ready to start living in San Diego? Contact Republic Moving and start your upcoming move to San Diego now!
San Diego Population and Demographics
According to the US Census, the population of San Diego in 2023 was 1,388,320. The population has risen by 0.1% since 2020 and by 6.2% since 2010. San Diego is currently the second-largest city in California behind Los Angeles and the eighth-largest city in America. San Diego has a population density of 4,260.2 people per square mile living in San Diego.
The San Diego density is over 10 times higher than the California population density. The city will become more dense as more people start living in San Diego.
Famous people living in San Diego include Dr. Seuss, Mayim Bialik, Nick Cannon, RuPaul, and Frank Zappa. San Diego demographics include:
51.0% male, 49.0% female
Median age of residents living in San Diego: 36.2
Racial and ethnic composition: 54.5% White (41.5% non-Hispanic), 30.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 12.8% two or more races, 5.9% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
Median household income of residents living in San Diego: $100,010 (roughly 10% higher than the California median)
Educational attainment: 89.7% of residents living in San Diego have graduated high school, 48.7% of residents living in San Diego have a bachelor's degree
Foreign-born population of residents living in San Diego: 24.9%
San Diego is a hub for the Hispanic and Latino communities. Over 129,000 residents living in San Diego were born in Mexico, accounting for nearly 10% of the San Diego population. You can find Hispanic and Latino community centers, grocery stores, and museums throughout the city. San Diego is an LGBTQ-friendly community.
Cameron Diaz, Tom Waits, and Ricky Williams are all living in San Diego.
San Diego Transportation
Many residents living in San Diego use public transportation to get around. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (SDMTS) offers bus, trolley, and paratransit services throughout the city. You can use the SDMTS map to find where routes go while living in San Diego. You can also use buses to start moving to San Diego.
If you want to explore other cities by the Pacific Coast, you can use the North County Transit District's COASTER. COASTER is a commuter train system with access to Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Encinitas. SPRINTER is a commuter train system that runs west to east, also providing access to Oceanside.
You can also use the major highways in San Diego while living in San Diego. Several interstates run through the community and connect neighborhoods together. Interstates 5, 15, and 805 run north to south, while Interstate 8 runs west to east. Various state routes also run through the city, providing access to cities near San Diego.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the main airport in San Diego. According to Fox 5 San Diego, it's the busiest single runway airport in America. The airport serves all major cities in the United States.
Are you ready to start moving to San Diego? Call 619-591-0079 for a free estimate, and start living in San Diego now!
San Diego Cost of Living
How much does it cost to live in San Diego? While it’s certainly not the most expensive city in California, the cost of living in San Diego is high. The San Diego cost of living index is 142.0. That means it’s 42% more expensive than the national average.
Almost everything is costly while living in San Diego. Groceries are 15% over the average for the U.S. San Diego transportation is 27% higher. Housing is where San Diego really becomes expensive, with a housing index of 213.6 for 2023.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $140,570 every year to cover the San Diego cost of living. Housing costs are the highest expenses, at $28,788 a year. Save some money before moving to San Diego.
San Diego Typical Living Expenses
Ribeye steak, 1 pound: $10.60
1 gallon of regular milk: $4.44
12 regular eggs: $4.37
First-run movie ticket: $18.00
Mid-range, three-course meal for two: $90.00
Fitness club monthly membership: $86.08
SDMTS one-way trolley or bus fare: $2.50 ($72 30-day pass, $100 premium regional pass)
Ahead of moving to San Diego, it’s helpful to understand the taxes and how they affect your cost of living. According to Forbes, the California income tax rate is 1% to 12.3%. There is a 1% tax on all income over $1 million. According to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, the San Diego sales tax rate is 7.75%. This includes a California sales tax (7.25%) and San Diego County tax (0.5%).
The effective property tax rate in San Diego is 0.73%, below average for the U.S. Many residents living in San Diego rent real estate, so they don't pay these taxes.
According to the San Diego County Tax Collector, the state government has capped property taxes in California. However, there are several Mello-Roos Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) in the city. Mello-Roos taxes are special property taxes added to your tax rate if you live in one of these districts. They are used to fund public improvements and require permission from landowners living in San Diego. You can see Mello-Roos CFDs in San Diego here before buying a home and moving to San Diego.
What Is a Living Wage in San Diego?
According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, an adult living in San Diego by themselves needs to earn $29.52 an hour to cover their expenses. Two adults living in San Diego together without children each need to earn $19.15 an hour.
What Is the Cost of Living in San Diego?
The San Diego cost of living is 42% higher than the national average.
San Diego Real Estate – Average Rent & Home Prices
Housing is the biggest expense you’ll face while living in San Diego. It’s responsible for pushing the cost of living so high. According to Redfin, San Diego homes for sale have a median sale price of $945,300. The price of homes has risen by 6.2% between September 2023 and September 2024. The median sale price per square foot is $686, up by 0.4% since September 2023. Homes spend a median of 25 days on the market, up by 11 days since September 2023.
Rising home prices are nothing new for San Diego. The city has become a top destination for affluent buyers, with a hot luxury real estate market in San Diego. However, some buyers start living in San Diego because they perceive it as a bargain compared to San Francisco and Los Angeles.
How much will you pay in rent after moving to San Diego? Average rent in San Diego is $2,995, according to RentCafe for 875 square feet. Of course, rent varies significantly by neighborhood.
Carmel Valley, North City, and Torrey Hills are the most expensive neighborhoods for renters living in San Diego. These neighborhoods have an average rent of $3,907. San Diego rent prices in other popular neighborhoods include:
Scripps Ranch: $3,161
Gaslamp Quarter: $3,053
Harborview: $3,053
Petco Park: $3,053
Bankers Hill: $2,992
Midtown San Diego: $2,992
Rancho Bernardo: $2,944
Many neighborhoods have rent under $2,000, like Castle, Fairmont Park, and Swan Canyon.
How Much Is Rent in San Diego?
San Diego apartments have an average cost of $2,995 a month. Some neighborhoods like Carmel Valley cost as much as $3,907 a month. A few neighborhoods have apartments at less than $2,000 a month, like Fairmont Park.
Top San Diego Neighborhoods
Ready to explore the best neighborhoods in San Diego? You can find a family-friendly suburban setting or an exciting urban neighborhood in downtown San Diego. Here are the best places for living in San Diego.
Gaslamp Quarter – Exciting San Diego Neighborhood for Millennials
The Gaslamp District is one of the best neighborhoods in San Diego if you’re looking for nightlife, restaurants, and attractions. Located in downtown San Diego, this action-packed neighborhood is just outside Balboa Park and serves as downtown’s dining and entertainment hub.
According to Statistical Atlas, the Gaslamp Quarter is very popular amongst young professionals and millennials. People living in San Diego in their 20s make up over 20% of the population in the Gaslamp Quarter.
La Jolla is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in San Diego. According to Redfin, the median price of La Jolla homes for sale is $2,283,000. While these homes are pricey, you get a lot of luxurious features, including oceanside views. You’ll enjoy tons of shopping, dining, and recreation in La Jolla, including La Jolla Cove, a picturesque cove surrounded by cliffs.
Rancho Bernardo – Safest Neighborhood in San Diego Popular With Families
This master-planned community in northern San Diego is one of San Diego’s best neighborhoods for families. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Rancho Bernardo crime rate is 8.44 crimes per 1,000 residents living in San Diego. That's roughly one-third of the San Diego crime rate. The Rancho Bernardo crime rate fell by 25.1% between 2021 and 2022.
It’s also home to a major commercial park with employment opportunities. The median home price in Rancho Bernardo is $875,000. You can click here for Rancho Bernardo, San Diego homes for sale to see what’s available.
Are you ready to start living in top San Diego neighborhoods? Schedule an appointment with Republic Moving now!
San Diego Climate
What’s the weather like in San Diego? Pretty much perfect. San Diego has a Mediterranean climate with warm and mild weather throughout the year. According to Weather Spark, August is the hottest month of the year. It has an average temperature of 71 degrees and an average high of 77.
Temperatures decline by only a few degrees during the fall. January and December are the coldest months of the year, with an average temperature of 57 degrees and an average low of 51. Freezing temperatures are unheard of in San Diego.
The San Diego summers are warm, dry, and foggy. The most “unpleasant” part about the San Diego climate is overcast, gray mornings in the summer but still, little rain. San Diego receives 9.9 inches of rain and zero inches of snow every year. San Diego can experience earthquakes, though most are of a low magnitude. Most residents living in San Diego never encounter severe weather besides earthquakes on a regular basis.
The best time to visit San Diego is March through May or September through October. You’ll skip the crowds of tourists and enjoy pleasant weather without rain or foggy mornings. Many people living in San Diego think it has the best year-round weather of any city.
LEARN MORE: Check our complete guide to the San Diego climate to learn more about average daily temperatures and extreme weather.
What Is the Weather in San Diego?
The year round weather in San Diego is pleasant, sunny, and warm. Many people start living in San Diego to enjoy the nice weather.
What Is the Temperature in San Diego?
The temperature in San Diego is around 70 degrees during the summer and around 58 degrees during the winter. Temperature variations are slight, but very warm and very cold temperatures are rare.
How Much Rain Did San Diego Get?
San Diego receives an average of 9.9 inches of rain every year. Extreme rainstorms are rare.
When Was the Last Earthquake in San Diego?
According to Fox 5 San Diego, Southern California experienced 13 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.0 or greater between January and August 2024. There is a 75% chance that San Diego will experience a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in the next 20 years.
San Diego Restaurants
San Diego is a great city for foodies! It's well known for its authentic Mexican cuisine and California-style pizza. You’ll have plenty of excellent breweries, wineries, and restaurants in San Diego to explore. Here are three of the best.
The Fish Market: The Fish Market is a top seafood restaurant with a scenic waterfront location. You can enjoy a wide range of seafood dishes, including seasonal offerings like swordfish and tuna. 750 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA, 92101 619-232-3474
La Puerta: La Puerta is a hip Mexican restaurant that serves classic Mexican food. La Puerta is one of the best San Diego restaurants for brunch, serving huevos rancheros, pancakes, and other classic dishes on weekends. 560 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92101 619-696-3466
What Food Is San Diego Known For?
San Diego is well-known for its Mexican food, including Baja-style fish tacos and carne asada fries. It's also well-known for its seafood, including sushi burritos.
What Time Do Bars Close in San Diego?
Bars do not have to close at a set time in San Diego. Last call for alcoholic drinks is usually at 2:00 a.m. But some bars are open later and serve non-alcoholic drinks and food.
Things to Do in San Diego
There is an endless number of fun things to do in San Diego. San Diego is best known for its family-friendly attractions like LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, and the San Diego Zoo. But locals and visitors alike also appreciate its beaches, nightlife, and world-class shopping. Here are some of the top attractions in San Diego you’ll love exploring after moving to San Diego, CA.
San Diego Attractions
San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park is one of the world’s most famous zoos. It’s also one of the top things to do in San Diego with kids!
Mission Beach Boardwalk is a top outdoor attraction with an amusement park, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. You can enjoy the beachy vibe throughout the year.
Belmont Park is a beachfront amusement park with a roller coaster, plunge pool, and games on Ocean Front at Surfrider Square.
Petco Park in downtown San Diego is home to the San Diego Padres and hosts other sports events.
Cabrillo National Monument commemorates Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to explore the West Coast. You can walk along the coast and enjoy beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and cityscape.
Old Point Loma Lighthouse is on Point Loma at the mouth of the San Diego Bay where Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo first landed in 1542.
The Old Globe is a historic performing arts center in Balboa Park that shows classic musicals, Shakespeare, and contemporary plays.
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is a new year-round concert venue at Embarcadero Marina Park South with performances by the San Diego Symphony.
The Observatory North Park is a historic theater with a red-decked cathedral hall used as a live music venue.
San Diego Museums
USS Midway Museum is the permanently berthed and decommissioned USS Midway, one of the largest military ships of the U.S. Navy. It features over 30 restored aircraft and hundreds of exhibits.
Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park is a planetarium and science museum and one of the top kid-friendly activities in San Diego.
San Diego Natural History Museum or theNAT in Balboa Park was founded in 1874 and covers Southern California’s natural history. It’s the region’s oldest scientific institution!
Locals and tourists love Balboa Park. It's San Diego’s top outdoor attraction. It’s home to the San Diego Zoo, gardens like the Japanese Friendship Garden, open space, and 15 museums.
Coronado Beach on Coronado Island is one of the most iconic beaches in San Diego.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is an open air museum and state park that depicts life in the 1800s. You can visit preserved adobe buildings from the period.
Mission Bay Park is a popular beach spot on the bay with a dog-friendly beach, surfing, boating, and more.
San Diego Shopping
Seaport Village is a picturesque waterside complex with shops, entertainment, restaurants, and more.
Westfield Mission Valley is a major open air shopping center in San Diego’s Mission Valley neighborhood.
Fashion Valley is an open air shopping center in Mission Valley with over 200 upscale stores. It’s one of California’s largest malls.
Map of Things to Do in San Diego
What Is There to Do in San Diego?
San Diego has hundreds of amazing attractions. You can visit top outdoor locations like North Park and La Jolla Cove. You can also go indoors and enjoy destinations like the San Diego Air & Space Museum and San Diego Natural History Museum.
Where Is San Diego Zoo?
The San Diego Zoo is at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA, 92101.
San Diego Pride runs special events throughout the year. However, most Pride and LGBTQ-related events occur during June.
Are you ready to start enjoying great things to do in San Diego? Call 619-591-0079 for a free quote on moving to San Diego now!
San Diego Sports
Are you a sports fan considering moving to San Diego? With its idyllic weather, America’s Finest City is a great place to play and watch sports. San Diego may not have an NFL, NBA, or NFL team, but it’s home to Petco Park. While living in San Diego, you’ll be rooting for the San Diego Padres (NLB) who play at Petco Park.
There are also minor league teams in San Diego like the San Diego Loyal SC (USL Championship) and the San Diego Gulls (American Hockey League). San Diego is home to a few sporting events, including the Farmers Insurance Open, a PGA Tour golf tournament.
San Diego Crime – Is San Diego, CA Safe?
Many people wonder, "Is San Diego safe?" While California’s crime rate is higher than average, San Diego is one of America’s largest cities and a safe place to live. Here are the community's latest crime rates, according to the FBI in 2022:
Overall San Diego crime rate: 2,248 offenses per 100,000 people living in San Diego (20.9% lower than the state rate, 3.3% lower than the national average)
Violent crime rate: 431 crimes per 100,000 residents living in San Diego (13.7% lower than the California rate, 16.6% higher than the national rate)
Property crime rate: 1,818 offenses per 100,000 residents living in San Diego (22.4% lower than the state rate, 7.0% lower than the national rate)
San Diego has some of the lowest crime rates of any major city. Here are its rates compared with cities of similar sizes:
San Diego vs. Los Angeles, CA: The Los Angeles crime rate is 36.6% higher
San Diego vs. San Jose, CA: The San Jose crime rate is 29.3% higher
San Diego vs. San Antonio, TX: The San Antonio crime rate is 62.2% higher
The San Diego Police Department employs 1,769 sworn police officers who respond to all emergencies in San Diego.
LEARN MORE: You can see a San Diego crime map and other crime statistics from the City of San Diego.
How Safe Is San Diego?
San Diego is a safe community to live in, with crime rates that are 3.3% lower than the national average. Most San Diegans never experience crime.
Are you ready to start living in San Diego and enjoying low crime rates? Contact Republic Moving today!
San Diego Economy and Jobs
According to DataUSA, 698,895 people have jobs in San Diego. The largest industries are professional services, health care, and manufacturing. Each of these sectors has median earnings of over $115,000 a year.
The military is a major employer in San Diego. According to the San Diego Military Advisory Council, 369,600 jobs in San Diego come from the military. Defense contracts support over 2,000 local businesses in San Diego. According to San Diego County, other major employers in San Diego include UC San Diego, Sharp Healthcare, and San Diego County.
According to Payscale, San Diego jobs have an average salary of $88,000 a year and an hourly rate of $24.67. Here are the average salaries for common jobs among residents living in San Diego:
Software engineer: $101,904
Mechanical engineer: $87,660
Operations manager: $76,954
Registered nurse: $51/hour
Office manager: $25/hour
Medical assistant: $20/hour
According to Glassdoor, employees vote these as the best places to work in San Diego:
Minimum wage in San Diego is currently $16.85 an hour. The wage will increase to $17.25 per hour on January 1, 2025.
San Diego Healthcare
Some people start moving to San Diego for its hospitals. San Diego has excellent healthcare with some of the state’s top hospitals. US News ranks UC San Diego Health as the best hospital in California. US News ranks it as high-performing in 19 different specialties, ranking it in the top 50 hospitals in the country for cancer treatment. US News also ranks Rady Children's Hospital in the top 10 children's hospitals in the country.
San Diego Schools
Many people start living in San Diego to attend the city's schools. San Diego is a great city for education! Most students living in San Diego will attend schools in the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD). Other San Diego school districts include Poway Unified School District and San Marcos Unified School District.
US News ranks Jerabek Elementary School in San Diego in the top 75 elementary schools in California. 91% of Jerabek students test at or above the proficiency level in mathematics. That's 52 percentage points higher than the state average. US News also ranks Mt. Everest Academy and Scripps Ranch High School in the top 100 high schools in California.
The main university in the city is the University of California, San Diego, one of the country’s major research institutes. US News ranks it in the top 30 national universities. San Diego is also home to:
Setting up Utilities in San Diego & Getting a California Driver’s License
Ready to experience San Diego living first-hand? Ahead of moving to San Diego, it’s helpful to know the first steps you’ll need to take to become an official resident. It’s a good idea to have your utilities connected a few days before moving in.
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is the electricity and gas utility for all residents living in San Diego. You must call SDG&E at 1-800-411-7343 to start electricity service.
The City of San Diego supplies water, sewer, and trash services. You can start water service online through the Public Utilities Department. You can call the Environmental Services Department at 858-694-7000 to start trash pick-up while living in San Diego.
LEARN MORE: Check out our in-depth guide to San Diego utilities to find out more about setting up utilities and average costs.
Once you’re in your new home, make sure you transfer your out-of-state driver’s license. You can start a driver’s license application here through the DMV website. But you must visit a California DMV location in person to transfer your license.
Is moving to San Diego in your future? Once you’ve chosen the perfect San Diego neighborhood to call home, call Republic Moving & Storage at 619-591-0079. We’ll provide a free moving estimate and help you get started living the California dream.
Bill Lovejoy
Bill Lovejoy is the president of Republic Moving and Storage. Purchasing the assets of Republic Relocations in May 2008. In 2008, Republic did $700K of business and today is over $15 Million. Republic was named AMSA’s 2010 Agent of the Year for Service Excellence after only two years in business.
Bill is proud that he grew up doing every facet of the business from a local mover, over the road driver, salesperson, operations manager, and general manager. (and just about everything else in between) Before purchasing Republic, Bill was with Bekins Moving and Storage where he served as a Senior Vice President and was a partner. He was responsible for three HHG companies as well as two logistics companies.
A proud Father of six children, and a lovely wife, Carol, Bill constantly works to keep a balance between work and family Life. Bills “stress relieving” hobbies include racket ball, basketball, tennis, and golf.
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