dayblip

San Diego vs Cleveland

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

Compare a different city:

VS

QUICK ANSWER

Cleveland is 48% cheaper than San Diego overall.San Diego has a cost of living index of 163 vs Cleveland at 85 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing San Diego costs 75% more.

Pierre
Built by Pierre — MBA, Business Strategist & AI Consultant, Founder of DayblipAbout the author →
San Diego
CA
163
COLI index
VS
Cleveland
OH
85
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategorySan DiegoClevelandDifference
Overall COLI16385-48%
Housing29575-75%
Groceries113100-12%
Transport11499-13%
Healthcare106101-5%
Utilities121108-11%

Median 1BR Rent

San Diego
$2,350/mo
Cleveland
$975/mo

Median Home Price

San Diego
$870,000
Cleveland
$130,000

Median Household Income

San Diego
$83,454
Cleveland
$34,981

Share Your Result

Surprised by this number? Share it with friends and family

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland is cheaper to live in overall. San Diego has a cost of living index of 163 while Cleveland has an index of 85, where 100 represents the US national average. Cleveland is 48% cheaper than San Diego overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in San Diego is $2,350 per month compared to $975 in Cleveland. The median home price in San Diego is $870,000 versus $130,000 in Cleveland. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

San Diego has a cost of living index of 163 and Cleveland has an index of 85, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in San Diego, multiply by 0.52. For example a $75,000 salary in San Diego is equivalent to approximately $39,110 in Cleveland.

San Diego has a median household income of $83,454 per year versus $34,981 in Cleveland. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from San Diego to Cleveland is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Cleveland is 48% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.