San Diego, CA, USA
Editor
March 12, 2023
San Diego is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a vibrant and diverse city to explore. With its sunny climate, stunning beaches, and world-class attractions, San Diego is a great place to work remotely and enjoy the outdoors. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, San Diego has a population of 1.4 million people, making it the second-largest city in California and the eighth-largest in the United States. The city is also home to a thriving tech industry, with over 4,000 tech companies and startups located in the area. San Diego also boasts a low cost of living, with the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment costing around $1,400 per month. Additionally, the city has a strong public transportation system, making it easy to get around without a car. With its beautiful scenery, vibrant culture, and strong economy, San Diego is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a place to work and explore.
Living in San Diego, CA, USA: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
73%
Quality of life -
80%
Cost of living -
71%
Connectivity -
97%
Weather
69
General
| Currency | USD |
| Population (in millions) | 3.3 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 78 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 8% more expensive |
| Best neighborhood to stay | La Jolla, Pacific Beach |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 100 |
| Top selling local beer | IPA |
| Most popular local dish | Tacos |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum |
| Discount airline | Southwest |
| Major airline | Southwest Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Lyft |
| Primary train stations | San Diego Santa Fe Depot, Old Town Transit Center, San Diego Coaster Station |
| Primary airports | San Diego International Airport, Brown Field Municipal Airport, Montgomery Field Airport |
| Best rental car company | Enterprise |
| Used car costs | 15000 USD |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | 4545 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92122 |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 100 Mbps |
| Power socket type | A,B,C |
| Supply voltage | 120V |
| Best electronics store | BestBuy |
| Best internet carrier | Spectrum |
| Primary cellular carrier | Verizon |
| Average monthly cost for internet | $60.00 |
Shopping
| The best drug store | CVS |
| Best restaurant chain | Phil's BBQ |
| The best grocery store | Trader Joe's |
| The most popular fashion brand | Nordstrom |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $63,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $68,890 |
| Sales tax rate | 8.75% |
| Income tax rate | 9.3% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 90 days |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 3.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 200 USD |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Wells Fargo |
| Average tip in restaurant | 15-20% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Quite common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 911 (general), 619-531-2000 (police), 858-573-2700 (ambulance), 619-531 |
| Polution per square meter | 441 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | Not available |
| Main religion | Christianity |
Quality of life
73%
-
60%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
71%
Property to income -
40%
Crime -
69%
Healthcare -
97%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $5,603 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 5.34% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | $1,375 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | $16,507 |
Cost of living
80%
-
Purchasing Power
119%
-
Rent
78%
-
Food
77%
-
Restaurant
84%
-
Workspace
40%
-
Transport
35%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | $2,702.50 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | $2,173.33 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | $4,666.46 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | $3,860.00 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | $32.54 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | $1.13 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | $3.73 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | $5.40 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | $14.13 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | $1.99 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $12.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | $3.29 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $3.16 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | $10.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | $16.00 |
| Apples (1kg) | $4.61 |
| Oranges (1kg) | $3.43 |
| Potato (1kg) | $3.42 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $1.87 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | $4.69 |
| Tomato (1kg) | $3.83 |
| Banana (1kg) | $2.06 |
| Onion (1kg) | $2.44 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | $18.02 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | $20.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | $80.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | $10.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | $7.75 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $8.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | $2.66 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | $2.31 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | $5.26 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | $251.44 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | $0.27 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $78.85 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $51.45 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | $32.54 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | $15.30 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | $2.50 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | $75.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $1.46 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | $26,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | $23,255.44 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | $2.80 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | $1.86 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | $28.99 |
