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Moving to San Diego, America’s finest city, is one of the best moving decisions you can ever make.

Famous for its remarkable weather, vibrant lifestyle, road trips, and beautiful beaches, San Diego is one of the most family friendly cities in California.

If you’d love to live in a big city with diverse neighborhoods and close proximity to several popular areas, moving to San Diego is right for you.

San Diego’s outdoor and fitness culture makes it a top destination for many millennials and a great city for everyone else.

If you’re considering moving to San Diego, the things guide contains various key things you need to know about the city to help you make the right decision. Read on to learn more.

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before moving to San Diego

  • San Diego averages 266 sunny days per year
  • Around 52% of San Diego’s residents are homeowners
  • San Diego’s future job growth is expected to hit 34.94% in the next 10 years
  • San Diego’s average one-way commute time is shorter than the U.S. average
  • It is also one of the fastest growing U.S. cities

What’s the population of San Diego?

San Diego’s population is 1,427,720 making it the 8th largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The city spreads across 372 miles with a population density of 4,381 people per square mile.

  • San Diego’s median age is 34.9 making it a city of millennials
  • The median age of the male population is 34 years
  • The median age of the female population is 35.9
  • San Diego’s population is currently growing at a rate of 0.14%

How fast can you commute in San Diego, CA?

San Diego’s average one-way commute time takes 24.0 minutes. The national average is 26.4 minutes. If you're moving to San Diego, you’d be glad to learn that the city’s average commuting time is shorter than the national average. Here’s a breakdown of how people in the city commute to work:

  • Around 74.9% of San Diego residents drive their own car alone
  • Up to 8.6% of San Diego residents carpool with others
  • About 7.1% of San Diego residents work from home
  • Around 4.0% of San Diego residents take mass transit

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How is the weather like in San Diego?

San Diego gets an average of 266 sunny days per year. The national average is 205 sunny days. If you move to San Diego, you’ll enjoy lots of sunny days and can spend a whole lot of time outdoors. We’ve collated key stats about the city’s weather to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to San Diego.

  • On average, San Diego gets 12 inches of rain. The national average is 38 inches
  • Per year, San Diego gets an average of 0 inches of snow. The U.S. average is 28 inches
  • San Diego’s summer high in July is around 79 degrees
  • San Diego’s winter low in January is around 46 degrees
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Top 10 reasons to move to San Diego

Why is San Diego such a coveted destination for many families? There are lots of reasons why people are moving to San Diego.

We’ve made a list of the top ten reasons why you shouldn’t miss out on moving to San Diego. Check out the list below:

  • Outdoor and fitness culture
  • Remarkable weather
  • Easy access to water sports
  • Easy road trips
  • Great restaurants
  • San Diego is a family-friendly city
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Diverse neighborhoods
  • Close proximity to popular areas
  • Farmers market unlike any other
pros and cons of Phoenix

Pros & Cons of living in San Diego

One of the easiest ways to figure out if moving to San Diego is right for you or not is taking a closer look at the pros and cons of living in the city.

We’ve made a list here to help you get started. Check out the list below:

Pros of living in San Diego
  • San Diego’s weather is pure bliss
  • You’ll enjoy lots of outdoor activities
  • Easier access to the beach
  • San Diego has a laid-back culture
  • You’ll enjoy great tasty foods
  • The city is home to top-quality public schools
  • San Diego has a remarkable draft brew scene
  • San Diego is a melting pot of culture
  • San Diego has a remarkable art and culture scene
  • San Diego is a great city for millennials
  • If you love fun road trips, welcome to San Diego
  • The city is home to multiple beaches
Cons of living in San Diego
  • Housing isn’t cheap in San Diego
  • You’ll need a car to get around in San Diego
  • Traffic is terrible in San Diego
  • San Diego has one of the highest homeless populations in the country
  • California has the highest state income tax in the U.S.
  • You’ll have to put up with the high cost of living
  • The airport isn’t among the best in the country
  • Chances are that you’ll meet a stingray
  • Finding parking spaces in the city can be tough
  • You have to watch out for the “Zonies” in San Diego

Best places to live in San Diego

San Diego is home to several beautiful livable suburbs and neighborhoods. You’ll most likely be interested in living in some of the best places in the city if you’re moving to San Diego. To make it easier for you to streamline your house hunting efforts, we’ve made a list of the ten best neighborhoods to live in the city, if you decide to move to San Diego. Check out the list below:

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 Del Mar Heights, CA 6,860 $1,102,320 $125,086
2 North City, CA 12,743 $1,111,200 $146,445
3 La Jolla, CA 29,356 $1,326,057 $124,573
4 Carmel Mountain, CA 9,581 $548,400 $109,735
5 Carmel Valley, CA 39,559 $800,133 $146,086
6 Scripps Ranch, CA 36,364 $619,742 $115,865
7 Wooded Area, CA 7,369 $751,067 $109,591
8 Sabre Springs, CA 14,559 $551,371 $112,046
9 Rancho Penasquitos, CA 63,341 $602,482 $119,880
10 Rancho Bernardo, CA 44,185 $553,456 $95,093

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Cost of living in San Diego

The cost of living in San Diego is rated 160.1. The U.S. average is 100.

San Diego’s cost of living is higher than the United States average. Since you’re interested in moving to San Diego, here are the key components that makes up the city’s cost of living:

Living Expense San Diego California National Average
Overall 160.1 149.9 100
Grocery 109.7 105.1 100
Health 89 92.4 100
Median Home Cost $645,300 $552,800 $231,200
Housing 279.1 239.1 100
Utilities 102.8 102.4 100
Transportation 120.2 133.1 100
Miscellaneous 105.6 103.7 100

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How is the job market in San Diego?

San Diego has a competitive job market that is currently recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city’s job market is also one of the key metrics that highlights its economic strength. The following are key stats about the city’s job market to give you an idea of what to expect:

What’s the unemployment rate in San Diego?

  • San Diego’s unemployment rate is 6.6%. The national average is 6.0%
  • San Diego’s job growth has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Jobs in the city have increased by 1.4% over the past year
  • San Diego’s future job growth is expected to hit 34.94%
Employment Information San Diego, California United States
The income per Cap $37,112 $31,177
Household Income $71,535 $57,652
Unemployment Rate 6.6 6.0%
Recent Job Growth -8.62% -6.18%
Future Job Growth 34.94% 33.51%

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Top career options in San Diego

There are tons of top career options in America’s finest city. We’ve made a list of the top ten career options you can choose from if you’re moving to San Diego. Check out the list below:

Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry Level Salary # Of People
1 General Internal Medicine Physicians $247,090 $64,950 200
2 Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric $239,940 $122,170 4,100
3 Chief Executives $218,500 $95,780 2,650
4 Family Medicine Physicians $216,970 $58,770 840
5 Natural Sciences Managers $200,950 $105,510 2,340
6 Psychiatrists $191,870 $102,490 230
7 Podiatrists $183,340 $49,250 70
8 Economics Teachers, Postsecondary $171,260 $43,820 90
9 Architectural and Engineering Managers $170,260 $111,710 3,810
10 Computer and Information Systems Managers $169,570 $99,470 6,720

What’s the median salary in San Diego?

How much are San Diego residents earning on the average? We take a closer look at the average salary and income in America’s finest city to give you a glimpse of what to expect. The following are the average pay in the city if you’re moving to San Diego:

  • San Diego’s average annual pay is $68,565 a year
  • San Diego’s average hourly pay is $32.96 an hour
  • San Diego’s average weekly pay is $1,319 per week
  • San Diego’s average monthly pay is $5,714 per month
  • California’s minimum wage is $14 per hour

Top industries in San Diego

San Diego is home to some of the largest industries in California. The city’s robust economy is propelled by these leading industries. Here’s a list of the top industries in the city if you’re moving to San Diego:

  • Technology
  • Hospitality
  • Military
  • Biotechnology
  • Microbreweries

San Diego’s housing market

Home values in San Diego have increased by 111.7% over the last ten years. Renting or buying a home or an apartment in San Diego are good housing options. Since you’re considering moving to San Diego, here are key data about the city’s housing market:

  • Currently, home values in San Diego have increased by 22.5%
  • San Diego’s median home values is $645,300
  • Around 52% of San Diego’s residents are homeowners
  • Up to 2.2% of homes and apartments in San Diego are open to rent

What’s the average home rental cost in San Diego?

If you prefer renting a home in San Diego, you’ll find various types of homes and apartments across the city. The average home rental costs in the city are higher than the national average. You can check out the average home rental costs in the city if you’re moving to San Diego.

  • The average cost of a studio apartment in San Diego, CA is $1,344
  • The average cost of a 1-bedroom home or apartment in San Diego, CA is $1,487
  • The average cost of a 1-bedroom home or apartment in San Diego, CA is $1,908
  • The average cost of a 1-bedroom home or apartment in San Diego, CA is $2,649
  • The average cost of a 1-bedroom home or apartment in San Diego, CA is $3,244

How are the taxes like in San Diego?

When you move to San Diego, you’ll be paying similar taxes like the rest of the state of California.

Here are key taxes to pay attention to if you’re moving to San Diego:

  • California’s income tax is 1% - 13.3%
  • California’s sales tax is 7.25% - 10.50%
  • Property tax in California is 0.73% average effective rate
  • California’s gas tax is 50.50 cents per gallon of regular gasoline
  • Gas tax per gallon of diesel is 38.50 cents

Best things to do in San Diego, CA

San Diego is one of the most exciting cities in California.

Moving to San Diego gives you the perfect chance to experience the city’s excitement in various remarkable ways. We’ve made a list of the best things you can do in America’s finest city if you’re moving to San Diego. Check out the list below:

  • Take a trip to the San Diego Zoo
  • Explore Balboa Park
  • Visit Starry Lane Bakery
  • Wander around Old Town
  • Eat at Carnitas Snack Shack
  • Watch the sunset at Sunset Cliffs
  • Check out Hillcrest and North Park
  • Check out Ocean Beach
  • Check out the Gaslamp Quarter
  • Listen to live music at Prohibition
  • Take a trip to Pacific Beach
  • Wander around La Jolla
  • Eat at Puesto
  • Soak in the views at the Cabrillo Monument
  • Feast at Liberty Public Market
  • Drive your own speedboat
  • Visit the USS Midway Museum

How safe is San Diego, CA?

Safety is always a key factor before moving to any big city. Since you’re considering moving to San Diego, you’d most likely be interested in the city’s crime rates. Here are key stats about San Diego’s crime rates. Check them out below:

  • Violent crime rate in San Diego is rated 24.4. The national average is 22.7
  • Property crime rate in San Diego is rated 31.4. The national average is 35.4

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Statistic Count Raw San Diego/ 100k People California/ 100k People National/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 32,356 2,244.2 2,772.4 2,476.7
Murder 50 3.5 4.3 5.0
Robbery 1,346 93.4 132.4 81.6
Aggravated Assault 3,258 226.0 267.1 250.2
Violent Crime 5,215 361.7 441.2 366.7
Burglary 3,543 245.7 386.1 340.5
Larceny 18,426 1,278.0 1,586.3 1,549.5
Car Theft 5,172 358.7 358.8 219.9
Property Crime 27,141 1,882.5 2,331.2 2,109.9

The Safest Neighborhoods To Live In San Diego

Known as America’s finest city, San Diego is home to several livable neighborhoods. If safety is among the key things you’d like to consider before moving to San Diego, we’ve made a list of the safest neighborhoods to live in the city.

Rank Neighborhood Crime Per 100K
1 Nestor 35
2 Egger Highlands 126
3 Rancho Bernardo 875
4 Scripps Ranch 630
5 Rancho Penasquitos 821
6 North City 1,002
7 Carmel Valley 933
8 Tierrasanta 1,006
9 Alta Vista 724
10 Sabre Springs 941

Best Schools & Universities in San Diego

San Diego is home to some of the best universities and colleges in California.

Moving to San Diego means you might not bother about schooling outside the city. We’ve made a list of the best schools including colleges and universities in the city to make it easier for you to opt for the best if you’re moving to San Diego. Check out the list below:

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