Travel budget and cost of living in San Diego (California) how much does a trip cost?

San Diego travel budget

San Diego: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to San Diego

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in San Diego for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in San Diego compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in San Diego in 2024 is 20% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in San Diego in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in San Diego by expense type

Restaurant budget in San Diego

Lunch

$ 23/person
($ 13 to $ 51)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

3 course dinner

$ 45/person
($ 32 to $ 79)

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15% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 13/person
($ 11 to $ 16)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 8 for 500ml
($ 5 to $ 12)

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34% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 3 for 330ml
($ 1.8 to $ 5)

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15% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 5.7/cup
($ 4.1 to $ 8)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 3/can
($ 2 to $ 4.5)

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21% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 2.6/bottle
($ 2 to $ 4.1)

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27% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in San Diego

1-star hotel

$ 182/night
($ 89 to $ 490)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 167

2-star hotel

$ 198/night
($ 63 to $ 951)

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27% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 157

3-star hotel

$ 283/night
($ 110 to $ 913)

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24% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 228

4-star hotel

$ 422/night
($ 157 to $ 1282)

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39% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 306

5-star hotel

$ 689/night
($ 347 to $ 1695)

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44% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 481

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 173/month
($ 76 to $ 413)

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6% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 164

Room with kitchen

$ 318/month
($ 78 to $ 1378)

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33% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 240

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 252/month
($ 74 to $ 805)

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20% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 211

Cottage or guest house

$ 316/month
($ 170 to $ 729)

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42% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223

Family room

$ 250/month
($ 82 to $ 761)

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17% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 215

Supermarket food budget in San Diego

Milk

$ 1.2/litre
($ 1 to $ 1.6)

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14% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 4.1/500g
($ 2.2 to $ 5.6)

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14% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Rice

$ 4.5/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 6.6)

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2% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 4.1/12 eggs
($ 2 to $ 7.1)

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10% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Chicken

$ 14/kg
($ 6.6 to $ 29)

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13% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 4.9/kg
($ 2 to $ 11)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 4.4/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 6.6)

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9% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 3.4/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 6.6)

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13% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3

Water bottle

$ 2.4
($ 1 to $ 3)

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10% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in San Diego

Bus ticket

$ 2.6/ticket
($ 2.6 to $ 4.1)

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1% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.9/km
($ 1.7 to $ 3.7)

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8% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.4/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 1.6)

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43% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 7.6
($ 3.5 to $ 11)

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101% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Car hire

$ 40/24hrs
($ 13 to $ 193)

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27% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 55

Leisure activity budget in San Diego

Cinema

$ 19/ticket
($ 15 to $ 21)

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30% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

Tennis

$ 28/hr
($ 21 to $ 26)

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14% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 24

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in San Diego

Cigarettes

$ 11/pack
($ 9.1 to $ 13)

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6% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 63
($ 41 to $ 101)

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16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54

Summer dress

$ 66
($ 32 to $ 101)

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49% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

Toronto → New York City

$ 230
(fair price: $ 198)

Montreal → New York City

$ 272
(fair price: $ 248)

Sydney → New York City

$ 1342
(fair price: $ 1179)

New York City → Miami (Florida)

$ 264
(fair price: $ 172)

Melbourne → New York City

$ 1611
(fair price: $ 1368)

Los Angeles → New York City

$ 365
(fair price: $ 291)