All 30 neighborhoods in San Diego ranked by cost of living index. Updated 2026.
| # | Neighborhood | 1BR Rent | Index | vs Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National City | $1,768/mo | 0.68x | -32% |
| 2 | El Cajon | $1,872/mo | 0.72x | -28% |
| 3 | Chula Vista | $1,950/mo | 0.75x | -25% |
| 4 | Escondido | $1,950/mo | 0.75x | -25% |
| 5 | San Marcos | $2,028/mo | 0.78x | -22% |
| 6 | City Heights | $2,028/mo | 0.78x | -22% |
| 7 | Oceanside | $2,132/mo | 0.82x | -18% |
| 8 | Kearny Mesa | $2,210/mo | 0.85x | -15% |
| 9 | Clairemont | $2,288/mo | 0.88x | -12% |
| 10 | Poway | $2,392/mo | 0.92x | -8% |
| 11 | Mission Valley | $2,392/mo | 0.92x | -8% |
| 12 | University City | $2,470/mo | 0.95x | -5% |
| 13 | Normal Heights | $2,548/mo | 0.98x | -2% |
| 14 | Ocean Beach | $2,652/mo | 1.02x | +2% |
| 15 | North Park | $2,730/mo | 1.05x | +5% |
| 16 | Hillcrest | $2,808/mo | 1.08x | +8% |
| 17 | Carlsbad | $2,808/mo | 1.08x | +8% |
| 18 | Mission Beach | $2,860/mo | 1.10x | +10% |
| 19 | Encinitas | $2,912/mo | 1.12x | +12% |
| 20 | Pacific Beach | $2,912/mo | 1.12x | +12% |
| 21 | Point Loma | $2,990/mo | 1.15x | +15% |
| 22 | Carmel Valley | $2,990/mo | 1.15x | +15% |
| 23 | Solana Beach | $3,068/mo | 1.18x | +18% |
| 24 | Little Italy | $3,068/mo | 1.18x | +18% |
| 25 | Downtown | $3,120/mo | 1.20x | +20% |
| 26 | Gaslamp Quarter | $3,172/mo | 1.22x | +22% |
| 27 | La Jolla | $3,510/mo | 1.35x | +35% |
| 28 | Del Mar | $3,588/mo | 1.38x | +38% |
| 29 | Coronado | $3,640/mo | 1.40x | +40% |
| 30 | Rancho Santa Fe | $3,640/mo | 1.40x | +40% |
Rent estimates based on city average of $2,600/mo adjusted by neighborhood cost index. Index 1.00 = city average.
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Open a Wise Account →The cheapest neighborhood in San Diego is National City, with an estimated 1-bedroom rent of $1,768/month — 32% below the city average.
The average 1-bedroom rent in San Diego is approximately $2,600/month. Rents range from $1,768/mo (National City) to $3,640/mo (Rancho Santa Fe).
Our database covers 30 neighborhoods in San Diego, each with detailed cost-of-living and salary data.