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 2026

On average, the cost of living in San Diego in 2026 is 16% 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 2026 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in San Diego by expense type

Restaurant budget in San Diego

Lunch

$ 27/person
($ 16 to $ 42)

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29% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 52/person
($ 40 to $ 103)

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33% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 16/person
($ 13 to $ 22)

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29% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 8.2 for 500ml
($ 6.2 to $ 13)

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38% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 3.7 for 330ml
($ 2 to $ 6.2)

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3% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 6/cup
($ 4.1 to $ 8.2)

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13% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Fizzy drink

$ 3.1/can
($ 2.5 to $ 4.1)

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19% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Water bottle

$ 2.5/bottle
($ 2 to $ 3.1)

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21% 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

$ 159/night
($ 90 to $ 366)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 172

2-star hotel

$ 206/night
($ 69 to $ 1031)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 170

3-star hotel

$ 306/night
($ 121 to $ 1075)

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24% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 249

4-star hotel

$ 442/night
($ 163 to $ 1375)

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25% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 355

5-star hotel

$ 724/night
($ 383 to $ 1631)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 595

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 180/month
($ 72 to $ 403)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 180

Room with kitchen

$ 337/month
($ 75 to $ 1543)

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25% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 271

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 237/month
($ 82 to $ 551)

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5% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 227

Cottage or guest house

$ 353/month
($ 245 to $ 620)

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35% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 262

Family room

$ 229/month
($ 89 to $ 516)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 221

Supermarket food budget in San Diego

Milk

$ 1.3/litre
($ 1 to $ 1.8)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 4.9/500g
($ 3.3 to $ 6.8)

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33% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 7.3

Rice

$ 5/kg
($ 2.3 to $ 6.8)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 6.1/12 eggs
($ 3.6 to $ 9.2)

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40% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4

Chicken

$ 15/kg
($ 6.8 to $ 26)

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17% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 4.7/kg
($ 2.3 to $ 8.8)

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10% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2

Tomatoes

$ 4.9/kg
($ 2.3 to $ 6.8)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 3.1/kg
($ 1.8 to $ 5.6)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 2.5
($ 1.1 to $ 3.1)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Public and private transport budget in San Diego

Bus ticket

$ 2.6/ticket
($ 2.6 to $ 2.9)

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3% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 2.1/km
($ 2.1 to $ 2.5)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.3/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 1.6)

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45% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 3.1
($ 3.1 to $ 3.1)

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11% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Car hire

$ 58/24hrs
($ 23 to $ 152)

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31% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 84

Leisure activity budget in San Diego

Cinema

$ 20/ticket
($ 16 to $ 22)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

Tennis

$ 27/hr
($ 27 to $ 38)

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12% 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

$ 13/pack
($ 12 to $ 14)

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16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10.4

Levi's jeans

$ 69
($ 42 to $ 103)

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26% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54

Summer dress

$ 59
($ 47 to $ 94)

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36% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 43

Plane ticket budget

London → New York City

$ 583
(fair price: $ 507)

Manchester → New York City

$ 707
(fair price: $ 585)

Dublin → New York City

$ 590
(fair price: $ 501)

Edinburgh → New York City

$ 841
(fair price: $ 668)

London → Miami (Florida)

$ 751
(fair price: $ 636)

London → Las Vegas

$ 979
(fair price: $ 798)